ABSTRACT

Abstract

Elections to various political positions in Nigeria have always been characterized by electoral fraud which often results in violence and court cases. Election of leaders is also greeted by colossal loss of time, resources and precious human lives. This often negatively affects the economy of many Nigerians and has always threatened the political stability of the country. In Islamic history, appointment of leaders has been carried out through ash-shurah-wal-bay‘ah system. The system assisted the early Islamic governments to stabilize and to achieve their laudable goals. By adopting a historical and descriptive methods, this paper posited that the challenges of electoral fraud and violence and the threat they pose on the economic and political stability of the country especially as experienced during the 2015 and the just concluded 2019 general elections in Nigeria, may be overcome if appointment of leaders follows ash-shurah-wal-bay‘ah system. The research came up with suggestions on how the system can be implemented in Nigeria if adopted.