Voting Behaviour among Rural Communities During the 2023 Presidential Election in Nigeria: A Study of Select Local Governments in Katsina State

Nigeria’s presidential elections are profound reflections of the socio-economic, ethno-religious, socio-cultural, and political pulse of the nation since democratization in 1999. Essentially, this situation raises questions around the sociological and political factors shaping the voting behaviour of the electorates during presidential elections in the country. Were the considerations and factors that informed voters’ choices and behaviour in rural communities, during the elections ideological, economic, or primordial that have characterized Nigeria’s identity politics? This article interrogates this question and seeks answer to the motivations, incentives, and influences that determined voting behaviour during the 2023 presidential election in rural communities in Nigeria. Methodologically, the article relied on quantitative and qualitative data obtained conveniently from diverse sample size distributed across three local government areas (LGAs) of Katsina State. These were Baure, Bindawa, and Musawa. Their choice was informed by several considerations including representativeness, convenience, and accessibility. To ground the investigation theoretically, the funnel of causality model was employed with its emphasis on long-term, intermediate, and immediate factors influencing voting choices and behaviours, notably among rural communities. Findings from our investigation showed that voting behaviour in rural communities during the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria was shaped by a complex interplay of socio-economic conditions, traditional leadership, and localized concerns. Additionally, we showed that the election underscored the importance of personal interaction between candidates and voters, with many rural voters prioritizing candidates they had direct relationships with over party affiliations, ethno-religious affinity, and even ideological considerations.