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A Comparative Study of the Interconnectedness of Religion, Political Literacy, and Voter Choices for Females in Nigeria: Evidence from Northern and Southern Regions

Authors: Okunnu, O.W.

Conference: Bournemouth University, Faculty of Media and Communication

Abstract:

Political outcomes refer to factors that determine or influence voting behaviour and political participation. Political outcomes are quite important as they dovetail from the political decisions made by political participants. Although research on the determinants of political outcomes has been a subject of debate for many decades and perhaps centuries, findings are more often than not awash with nuances and not at par with realities at the regional level. There are more questions arising from dynamics in the societies, related to political campaigning and social movements at the regional level; how political outcomes get driven by interactions with religious groups and interests in Nigeria.

The perception of religion by the government in Nigeria is mostly a tool for political mobilization. This has been a recurring key indicator in Nigeria’s successive elections. However, there appear to be fragments of disparities in the degrees of influence of religion on political activities at the regional levels. Most research conducted on this subject considers the general outlook of the influence of religion over political participation and political outcomes. Still, the outcomes of this research may not paint a true picture of the deeper contexts given that the dynamics of the regions differ and that there seems to be a variance between the North and the South on the role of religion. Similarly, there has not been any focus on how religion influences the political outcomes of female Nigerian voters or how political literacy can mediate the impact of religion on political outcomes.

Consequently, this project aims to examine the independent and mediating effects of religion and political literacy levels on voters’ decisions and political outcomes at regional levels amongst female voters in Nigeria. A mixed-method approach was adopted to alleviate any contradictions between qualitative and quantitative findings, whilst also embedding the findings of this research in the experience of participants and stakeholders considered in the study. The research concludes that while the influence of religion on political outcomes is higher in the North than in the South, the role of political literacy in mediating this influence is marginal in both regions given the endemic damage caused by patriarchy. This research equally notes that the impact of patriarchy on the political participation of women is similar in both the North and the South.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/40771/

Source: Manual

A Comparative Study of the Interconnectedness of Religion, Political Literacy, and Voter Choices for Females in Nigeria: Evidence from Northern and Southern Regions

Authors: Okunnu, O.W.

Conference: Bournemouth University

Abstract:

Political outcomes refer to factors that determine or influence voting behaviour and political participation. Political outcomes are quite important as they dovetail from the political decisions made by political participants. Although research on the determinants of political outcomes has been a subject of debate for many decades and perhaps centuries, findings are more often than not awash with nuances and not at par with realities at the regional level. There are more questions arising from dynamics in the societies, related to political campaigning and social movements at the regional level; how political outcomes get driven by interactions with religious groups and interests in Nigeria.

The perception of religion by the government in Nigeria is mostly a tool for political mobilization. This has been a recurring key indicator in Nigeria’s successive elections. However, there appear to be fragments of disparities in the degrees of influence of religion on political activities at the regional levels. Most research conducted on this subject considers the general outlook of the influence of religion over political participation and political outcomes. Still, the outcomes of this research may not paint a true picture of the deeper contexts given that the dynamics of the regions differ and that there seems to be a variance between the North and the South on the role of religion. Similarly, there has not been any focus on how religion influences the political outcomes of female Nigerian voters or how political literacy can mediate the impact of religion on political outcomes.

Consequently, this project aims to examine the independent and mediating effects of religion and political literacy levels on voters’ decisions and political outcomes at regional levels amongst female voters in Nigeria. A mixed-method approach was adopted to alleviate any contradictions between qualitative and quantitative findings, whilst also embedding the findings of this research in the experience of participants and stakeholders considered in the study. The research concludes that while the influence of religion on political outcomes is higher in the North than in the South, the role of political literacy in mediating this influence is marginal in both regions given the endemic damage caused by patriarchy. This research equally notes that the impact of patriarchy on the political participation of women is similar in both the North and the South.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/40771/

Source: BURO EPrints