Nigeria, Feb. 12 -- Democracy in Nigeria has had a very colourful journey. After twenty-five years of the Fourth Republic, we are at a point where it is entrenched, with specific trends emerging. We are seeing increased awareness and participation of various groups, and what scholars will argue is a true reflection of the will of the people coming through in the voting trends.

Using the forthcoming Edo State elections as a case study, we have delved into the past elections and noted vital trends and potential factors that will determine the choice of candidates from the various parties and who the voters eventually choose to occupy Osadebe House.

A key trend that has been noted is the reduced margin in the contributions of votes between...