Abstract

Electoral system is a major attribute in any democracy. The failure of the electoral system is as a result of the problems associated with its processes. These problems, notwithstanding, are caused by some independent and intervening variables such as: the nature of Political Parties; the nature of Security Agencies; the role of Civil Society Groups, Traditional Institutions and the Press; as well as the dominant forces of the International Capitals. It is on this note that this paper explores the nature of Political Parties; its intrigues and strategies, cum the task and position of Civil Society Organizations, Security Agencies, Traditional Institutions and the Press as well as the effects of the International Capitals on Nigerian Electoral Processes from 1923 till date (2013). This paper reviews conceptual definitions of political party, civil society organization, security agency, traditional institution and the press. This paper tags the reviewed institutions as the institutions of governance. This paper adopts chronological approach to review available related literatures; it is historically descriptive; its research format is qualitative using documentary method of data collection as its instrument of research. At the end, this paper proficiently identifies the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of all the institutions of governance in Nigerian political context.