INCOME POVERTY AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IN YOBE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The conventional social science assumption is that poverty inhibits the political participation of citizens. Hence, the prospect of sustaining a democratic government amid mass poverty is far lower than in a relatively wealthy one. However, empirical studies outside Western democracies have shown this conventional assumption to be flawed. Poverty is widespread in Nigeria, and political infrastructures are developing, leading to a high cost of political participation. Thus, understanding the patterns of political participation in Nigeria, where a significant number of the population is living below the poverty line and democratic institutions are still emerging, becomes necessary. This study examined the effect of income poverty on political participation in Yobe State, Nigeria. The study employs a quantitative method research design that uses a questionnaire to collect data. The
data collected was analyzed using SPSS statistical package software. The study employed descriptive statistics to examine the relationship between income poverty and political participation. Regression analysis was also employed to identify the factors that influence political participation. The findings indicate that income poverty has a significant effect on political participation. Similarly, education has a relationship with political participation. The study recommends that to improve the political
participation of the poor efforts should be made to intensify poverty alleviation, reduce the cost of political participation such as reducing institutional challenges associated with political participation and commercialization of politics, and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) should engage in massive enlightenment of the citizen on the importance of political participation; especially on Facebook.