On the political thuggery saga.

Babangida Basu Jibrin

Political thuggery is any violent behavior that's harmful to the society which took place during an election era.

Political thuggery is such a devastating challenge facing contemporary Nigerian politics.

The phenomenon not only brought about the loss of people lives, but also valuable properties worth billions of naira with socio-political and economic consequences.

The issue also  causes many problems such as crisis, conflict, riots, dispute, violence and even war which affects societal development especially democratic sustainability and not only politicians that will suffer but also innocent individuals.

Politicians as well as some elites in many cases recruit unemployed youths in to the thuggery for their selfish or political interest during political events like campaigns and elections to serve as their dogs who snatches ballot papers, ballot boxes and in most cases demolished election's gadgets. 

The aim of these selfish and disheartening politicians who recruit these sets of youths is to remain in power by every means that comes their way without considering the consequences that may fall on the future of the boy they recruit as thugs.

This set of selfish politicians oftentimes recruits and sponsor some youth who pays allegiance to them or their political affiliations and consequently engaged them in such devastating phenomenon of thuggery.

These politicians benefits from the services rendered to them by these thugs or what he commands them to do.

Political thuggery is not a matter of using dagger(knives) or sticks but the presence of their actions can be noted even in social media where these thugs shared misinformation, false statements with the aim of pleasing their so-called boss.

there is a need for governments assistance to give more priority to youth empowerment. This would make them responsible and decent from risking their lives in the name of thuggery.

“When these youths have something to do, nobody will lure them to engage in anything thuggery work again. 

Security forces should recruit more agents so that the bad elements should be erased.Then the officer's agents they should also be equipped with modern weapons and have freewill to arrest anyone found guilty of sponsoring thugs.

The values and the need for adequate parental care, a sense of peace and security are first plant in the mind of the individual, beginning from the family unit which is the building blocks of every society. 

Babangida Basu Jibrin, Mass Communication Department, Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi, Bauchi State. 

babangidajibrin025@gmail.com