Thuggery and Voter Intimidation During Elections in Nigeria
Elections in Nigeria have been characterized by several challenges, ranging from vote buying, ballot snatching, violence, and voter intimidation. One of the most common forms of election malpractice in Nigeria is thuggery and voter intimidation by agents of politicians in various states of the country.
Thuggery and voter intimidation have become a norm in Nigerian politics, and it poses a significant threat to the conduct of free, fair, and credible elections in the country. This article explores the prevalence of thuggery and voter intimidation during elections in Nigeria, its causes, and the way forward.
Prevalence of Thuggery and Voter Intimidation in Nigeria
Thuggery and voter intimidation have been an age-long practice in Nigerian politics. During elections, political thugs, popularly known as 'area boys,' are often mobilized by politicians to intimidate voters, snatch ballot boxes, disrupt voting processes, and perpetrate violence. The use of thuggery and voter intimidation has become so rampant in Nigerian elections that it has become a norm, and many politicians see it as a means of winning elections.
The 2019 general elections in Nigeria witnessed several cases of thuggery and voter intimidation in various states of the country. In Lagos State, a popular and notorious thug kingpin was allegedly involved in violent clashes during the governorship campaign rallies of the ruling political party and the opposition parties in the state. The thug kingpin who was a chairman of a transport union network in the state, was accused of sponsoring thugs to attack opposition supporters and disrupt campaign rallies, the allegations which he denied.
In Rivers State, the 2019 governorship elections were marred by violence and thuggery. There were reports of shootings and ballot snatching in some parts of the state. In some polling units, political thugs reportedly disrupted voting processes and forced voters to vote for their preferred candidates. Similar cases of thuggery and voter intimidation were reported in other states, such as Kogi, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom.
Moreso, the recently conducted 2023 presidential, senate and house of representatives elections in February recorded various forms of thuggery and voter intimidation in some states especially in Lagos, Rivers, Kano, Kogi, Imo.. to mention a few. According to reports, voters were chased away in some polling units and polls disrupted. Some voters were attacked and injured. Some INEC officials were also allegedly assaulted and harassed by unknown political thugs.
Causes of Thuggery and Voter Intimidation in Nigeria
The prevalence of thuggery and voter intimidation in Nigerian politics can be attributed to several factors. One of the main causes is poverty and unemployment. Many young people in Nigeria are unemployed and lack opportunities to earn a decent living. As a result, they become vulnerable to being used as political thugs by politicians who promise them money and other incentives.
Another factor that fuels thuggery and voter intimidation in Nigerian politics is the absence of strict law enforcement. The police and other security agencies in Nigeria are often compromised during elections, and they collude with politicians to perpetrate electoral malpractice. This creates a favorable environment for politicians to use thugs and intimidate voters without fear of being apprehended.
Also, the lack of internal democracy within political parties in Nigeria is another factor that fuels thuggery and voter intimidation. Many politicians in Nigeria are imposed on their parties by godfathers or party leaders, and this often leads to a crisis within the party. As a result, some politicians resort to using thugs and violence to protect their interests within the party and during elections.
The Way Forward
To address the issue of thuggery and voter intimidation in Nigerian politics, several measures need to be put in place. Firstly, there is a need for strict law enforcement during elections. The police and other security agencies must be impartial and ensure that electoral offenders are apprehended and prosecuted. The Nigerian government should also invest in training security personnel on electoral security and provide them with the necessary equipment to perform their duties effectively.
Secondly, there is a need for political parties to embrace internal democracy. Political parties should allow for a level playing ground for all aspirants and ensure that party leaders do not impose candidates on the party. This will reduce the incidence of intra-party crises and minimize the use of thuggery and violence during elections.
Thirdly, the Nigerian government should address the issue of poverty and unemployment, especially among young people. The government should provide job opportunities and vocational training to young people to prevent them from being used as political thugs. The government should also provide a social safety net to vulnerable citizens, such as widows, orphans, and the elderly, to reduce the level of poverty in the country.
Fourthly, there is a need for civic education and voter enlightenment programs to educate citizens on their rights and responsibilities during elections. This will reduce the level of voter apathy and increase citizens' participation in the electoral process. Civic education and voter enlightenment programs should be targeted at both urban and rural areas to reach a wider audience.
Lastly, political parties and candidates should be held accountable for their actions during elections. Electoral offenders should be punished accordingly to serve as a deterrent to others who may want to engage in thuggery and voter intimidation. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should also ensure that elections are conducted in a transparent, free, and fair manner, and that the results reflect the will of the people.
Summary
Thuggery and voter intimidation by agents of politicians in various states of Nigeria pose a significant threat to the conduct of free, fair, and credible elections in the country. The prevalence of thuggery and voter intimidation can be attributed to poverty and unemployment, lack of strict law enforcement, absence of internal democracy within political parties, and the lack of civic education and voter enlightenment programs.
To address the issue of thuggery and voter intimidation in Nigerian politics, there is a need for strict law enforcement during elections, political parties to embrace internal democracy, the government to address poverty and unemployment, civic education and voter enlightenment programs, and political parties and candidates to be held accountable for their actions during elections.
It is only when these measures are put in place that Nigeria can achieve free, fair, and credible elections, and that citizens' votes will count towards building a strong and democratic country.
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