Observers and political analysts have said elections are essential to strengthen nascent democracies and engender peaceful hand over of power. They also noted that elections held in the country since independence have been marked by thuggery, violence, bribery and intimidation with youths participating actively.
Though the just-concluded general election had been described as free and fair, they also had their share of thuggery and pockets of violence.
During the elections, there were reports of voter-intimidation by thugs.
In one of the incidents, thugs were alleged to have invaded a polling unit in the Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos to disperse those waiting for election officials to cast their votes.
A similar case reportedly involved thugs moving in motorcycles and wearing masks to attack voting areas in the Igando/Ikotun area of Lagos State.
Briefing the media, the state Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa, said: “We made a number of arrests. We also made some recoveries, in terms of INEC-sensitive materials, ballot boxes, and offensive weapons. The number of arrests is still being compiled from our field officers.”
Similarly, in the Southwest, a policeman and a child were reportedly shot during the elections in the Idanre area of Ondo State. The Nation learnt that some hoodlums had stormed the polling unit, but were pushed back by police officers.
“In the heat of exchange of fire, one police officer was shot, and a small girl was also caught in the crossfire,” a source was quoted as saying.
In Imo State, security forces rescued 19 INEC Ad-Hoc staff abducted on their way to polling units in Ideato South Local Government Area. But election materials, including Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and sensitive materials, were not recovered.
The International Foundation for Electoral System (IFES) defines electoral violence as ‘any act or threat of physical or psychological harm to a person or damage to property, directed at anyone directly involved in an electoral process (voters, candidates, party officers, election workers, election monitors, journalists, etc.), which may disrupt or attempt to disrupt any aspect of the electoral process’.
Stakeholders, however, are unanimous in their call for sustained drive towards curbing acts of electoral violence through 100 per cent civic education, political literacy, and incorporating citizenship education in tertiary education curriculum, among others.
Inculcating right values is key
Coordinator, Child Protection Network (CPN), Lagos State chapter, Mrs. Ronke Oyelakin, said effective civic learning in schools, secondary and higher education, as a means of curbing political thuggery and violence among youths would ensure that students acquire the necessary knowledge, skills and values for active participation in the democratic system.
She said: “Over the years, we have seen that elections are a flashpoint for violence. So, there is a need to have a designed programme to prevent election violence. But, what we have seen is that all efforts are targeted towards logistical or technical support on election day. When prevention efforts fail and violence erupts, officials may respond with a counter-productive crackdown, citizens lose trust in the ability of government and the rule of law to protect them, and years of development efforts are reversed.
“The role of parents/guardians cannot be overemphasised. It is, therefore, pertinent for families to educate their young ones and youths on the need to shun violence and avoid being used as thugs, especially as most politicians who might engage them have safely kept their children in foreign countries to get quality education.
“Inculcating the rights family values goes a long way.This will help shape their lives and guide them as they grow. How have we trained up our children? A well brought up child will not be on the street to endanger his or her lives during elections or will allow anyone to influence them negatively to engage in a destructive and violent activities.
“Political thuggery and violence is a major challenge to democratic system of government in Nigeria. It is now hard to hear that election is conducted without death being recorded as a result of despicable activities of political thugs.
“So unfortunate, these children actually grew from a family and yet they ended up this way. Something must have gone wrong somewhere. Our background, exposure and education to some extent shapens us and our beliefs.
“Most times, unemployed, hungry, ill-mannered, children living in street conditions, etc are used as instruments.
“Effective civic learning in schools (secondary and higher education) as a means of curbing political thuggery and violence among Nigerian youths will ensure that students acquire the necessary knowledge, skills and values for active participation in the democratic system.
“Through civic learning, students learn to understand what right attitudes and wrong attitudes are and must be prepared to contribute positively to community and national growth.
“Schools, teachers and parents play a vital role in the holistic development of the child. Parents are the first mentor of the child and the teacher is the second. Both have an immense contribution and responsibility in shaping child’s personality.”
Alarming rate of unemployment to blame
In the same vein, Former Director, Centre for General Nigerian Studies, Lagos State University (LASU) , Prof. Biodun Akinpelu, said in as much as youths keep graduating in higher institutions without any hope for a meaningful future, thuggery and violence will continue to thrive in the land.
He said: “Youth thuggery and violence during election is a carryover of possible effect of non-performance of our political class who found them available for any form of cover-up for their failures. The youth are there as ready-made tools to be used by politicians since they are not gainfully engaged.
“In as much as our youths keep graduating in higher institutions without any hope for a meaningful future, thuggery and violence will continue to thrive in the land. It’s on record that Nigeria records close to 200,000 new graduates in the labour market every year.
“The height of graduate unemployment is alarming in the country and this prepares a fertile ground for youths in the areas of thuggery and either sponsored or unsponsored violence.
“Maintaining students in our higher institutions in an era of terrible economic downturn has become a herculean task for university management. This has really affected quality disciplinary measures in the system. It’s sad to note that significant number of students are self-sponsored in the university, and quite a number of them do drop out before completion time for their academic programmes.
“The Guidance and Counselling Units in our educational institutions together with the Students Disciplinary Committees do organise workshops and seminars from time to time. But since the university is a microcosm of the larger society where economic and moral crisis prevail, our youths are mostly affected.
“Where is the home that the issue of moral upbringing of our youths emphasised? The parents are busy searching for economic opportunities in whatever form. The society is in a disarray.
“It is on record that some university staff have become victims of abuse as a result of students’ violence.
“The whole issue starts with sponsorship of Students Union elections by politicians. The level of electioneering campaigns on campuses can really trigger violence if university authorities are not strong enough to introduce acceptable limits. It is at this point that cultism in the university system rear its ugly head, and rival groups tend to cause mayhem. The quality of security apparatus in the system also counts. Apart from the use of technology to monitor activities in our educational institutions, the quality of security personnel is also very vital. When students are aware of monitoring devices like CCTV, audio recorders, violence alert systems etc, the work of security guards, who are expected to be in a sizeable number in the system, becomes easier.
“University authorities need to be up and doing in its efforts towards curtailing thuggery and violence. However, all this cannot be declared cheap in any educational institution. Funding is therefore very crucial.”
Political education imperative
Coordinator, Commonwealth Students Association, Precious Ebere, noted that continuous education of the youth on the dangers and negative consequences of electoral thuggery and violence could help them understand the importance of peaceful elections.
Ebere suggested incorporating civic education and political literacy into the curriculum. She urged universities and learning centres to integrate lessons on democracy, citizenship, and political violence into their curricula to help students understand the implications of electoral violence.
Her words: “Continuously educating the youth on the dangers and negative consequences of electoral thuggery and violence can help them understand the importance of peaceful elections. This can be done through school programmes, community education campaigns, and social media platforms.
“Mentoring young people can help guide them towards positive behaviour and encourage them to develop positive values, such as tolerance and non-violence, especially on what the School of Politics Policy and Governance is focusing on in Africa.
“Providing political education to youths, including civic education and political literacy, can help them understand the democratic process and the importance of peaceful and fair elections.
“Engaging young people in positive activities, such as sports, arts, and entrepreneurship, can help them develop skills and confidence that can deter them from getting involved in electoral thuggery and violence.
“Universities and learning centres should incorporate civic education and political literacy into the curriculum. They can also integrate lessons on democracy, citizenship, and political violence into their curricula to help students understand the implications of electoral violence.
“It is also important to organise seminars and workshops on the dangers of electoral violence and ways to prevent it. These events can feature experts, community leaders, and political figures who can share their experiences and insights.
Also, engaging students to participate in community service and volunteer activities can help them develop a sense of civic responsibility and reduce their inclination towards electoral violence.
“Also, schools can create safe spaces for students to discuss and debate political issues without fear of intimidation or violence. This can help students develop critical thinking skills and foster a culture of tolerance and respect.”
