Factors that hinder the successful operation of democracy in Nigeria are:
(i) The electoral commission is not independent of the executive and the legislature.
(ii) The rate of illiteracy and ignorance is high among the people.
(iii) The concept of democracy is wrongly interpreted or misunderstood.
(iv) The judiciary is not independent and impartial in deciding election cases and petitions.
(v) Existence of ethnic rivalry among Nigerian groups especially before and during elections.
(vi) Constant military intervention in Nigerian politics.
(vii) Failure of the elected representative to represent the interests of the people.
(viii) Political parties' constant and regular interference in the government of the day.
(ix)The presence of opposition group that may produce political instability in the system.
(x) Lack of press freedom to disseminate information to the people and its failure to expose electoral malpractices or fraud.
(xi) Unhealthy rivalry among politicians to win the election at all costs.
(xii) The aftermath of rigging in elections which deprives the electorate of the choice of a credible candidate.
(xiii) Undue interference in the work of the electoral commission by politicians who are self-seeking).