Ibadan Journal of the Social Sciences
Volume 24, No. 1, 2026
DOI: 10.36108/ijss/6202.42.0120
Disputed Elections and Public Trust in Nigeria: Evidence from the 2023 Presidential Election
Daniel Godwin1, Tahir A. Ijaiya2 and Chidiebere T. Okutalukwe3
1,2Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
3Department of Political Science, University of Africa, Toru-Orua, Nigeria
Abstract
This study examines the disputes that followed Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election and their implications for public trust in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the judiciary, and the Tinubu administration. Situated within the broader history of contested presidential elections in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, the study adopts a qualitative case study approach, drawing on secondary data including official reports, observer missions, media accounts, and scholarly literature. Findings show that although the 2023 election introduced procedural innovations under the Electoral Act 2022, the process was marred by logistical failures, technological breakdowns, allegations of malpractice, and disputes over result transmission. These controversies triggered litigation that ultimately upheld the declared winner but deepened perceptions of institutional bias and judicial partiality. The study argues that the recurring pattern of disputed presidential elections and judicial validation of outcomes has widened the trust gap between citizens and key democratic institutions. It concludes that declining public trust in electoral and judicial institutions poses significant challenges to democratic legitimacy, governance stability, and political accountability in Nigeria.
Keywords: Disputed election, INEC, Nigeria, presidential election, public trust