Naira Re-Design and 2023 Presidential Election in Nigeria: A Study Of Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State

The difficulty experienced with the recent CBN naira redesign policy that was announced on October 26th, 2022, few weeks to the 2023 general elections in Nigeria created overwhelming feelings of anxiety, among the public especially voters. Accordingly, this study specifically made efforts to find out if the naira redesign affected voter’s turnout and vote buying during the 2023 presidential election in Abakaliki local government area. The research method adopted was survey and depended on Primary and secondary data. Anchored on rational choice theory, the study revealed among other things that; naira redesign contributed to low voter turnout and reduced vote buying during the 2023 presidential election in Abakaliki local government area. Inview of this findings, the study suggested a robust and continuous voter education campaign, including creating economic opportunities that will empower citizens to make informed electoral decisions free from financial coercion. These, if tenaciously followed, will launch Nigeria into an enduring democratic process