Determinants of effective electoral process in Northern Nigeria Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists: A basis for transformational change

Abstract

Non-adherence to the ethics of a good spiritual electoral process is usually caused by bad leadership, followers, disunity, and division. This study aimed to investigate the determinants of an effective electoral process in the Northern Nigeria Union Conference (NNUC) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This study employed a mixed-methods approach with a cross-sectional research design for quantitative data and an interview approach to supplement qualitative data. A self-designed questionnaire and interview approach were the data collection tools. Multiple data analysis tools, such as percentages, means, standard deviations, stepwise regression, and thematic analyses, were used. One hundred and ninety-six delegates from the three conferences—NENC, NWNC, and NCNC—formed the study sample. There are deficiencies: 1. An organizational factor: organizational culture, organizational politics, and adherence to rules; 2. Perceptions of delegates on ethnicity and geo-political affiliation 3. Leadership influences: political skills and political power. 3. Mediating factors: transparency, spirituality, and competence. Findings revealed that transparency, spirituality, and competence are prerequisites during constituency (elections). The researcher recommends that the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church leadership consider factors that are responding to non-adherence to the ethics of an effective electoral process by restructuring the nominating committee chairmanship. Selection of leaders should be based on competent, spiritual, experienced, and educational qualifications for administrative officers, according to the constitution of the Seventh-day Adventist Church for the 21st century. Finally, the conferences and unions should have at most two consecutive terms in office.