Rigged Re-Elections in Africa and the Legitimacy of Democratic Regimes: A Nigerian Scenario
Khadijah Sanusi Gumbi

Abstract
This article views rigged re-election as a threat posed to the legitimacy of democratic regimes in Africa by closely looking at the Nigerian scenario. It argues that most African governments perform poorly on public affairs, and yet continue to renew their mandates using power of incumbency and state machinery, including the election bodies. These governments are often declared winners even though the elections were not free and fair. This article takes a look at the issue of re-elections in Africa and the legitimacy of regimes that emerge therefrom, with a specific focus on Nigeria.

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