Curtailing The Evils of Political Violence in Nigeria

Curtailing The Evils of Political Violence in Nigeria By: Solomon Olali-Igabo

Historically, political conflicts or violence have sent a good number of our potential youths and able men to their early grave, left many children as orphans and women as widows. This has increase more social vices in the society.

For instance, some factors that led to the Nigerian civil war of 1967-1970 was politically and tribally motivated. Crime keep multiplying on daily basis.

With the coming on board of the new democratic government in May 1999 in Nigeria, the political scene has not known peace over the years.

Electoral or political violence has become a tool of wining political power or seats in Nigeria whereby the jobless and unemployed members of the society being manipulated by the so called elite or powerful politicians who used them to create havoc or mayhem especially during elections and pay them peanuts.

Sadly, there is no sanctity of life as most youths would take the life of fellow brothers, sisters, parents or neighbours wherever election is around the corner. This has become a curse in the land while integrity and value of one another are thrown overboard. Biblically, the spirit of Cain and Abel is roving around the political scene?

Evidently, Nigeria as a developing country is suffering from poverty, unemployment, corruption, sit-right power syndrome and refusal to accept political defeat which are the major causes of political violence and have continued to threaten our democracy since 1999 to date.

Regrettably, buffoons, bamboos and nincompoops, are commonly seen in corridors of power these days destroying our democracy. This is most unfortunate.

However, a notable world philosopher, Socrates’ prediction of the fall of democracy is beginning to manifest. According to him, “democracy must fall because it will try to tailor to everyone. The poor will want the wealth of the rich and democracy will give to them. Young people will want to be respected as elderly and democracy will give it to them”.

He also postulated that thieves, criminals, fraudsters and murderers will find themselves in government and democracy will give it to them! The pioneer philosopher is precise and accurate in his prediction as compare to what is playing out in Nigeria.

Be that as it may, the pertinent question is how does society and the political actors restore democracy from falling into wrong hands?

Importantly, the general wellbeing of Nigeria must be placed above every individual or group(s). Identify political violence or ethnic/tribal sentiment as an enemy and would stall development.

Therefore, the welfare of the citizenry should be the topmost priority. Credible leaders should be elected or appointed at all levels of government. Do-or-die politicians should be disallowed to participate in any election process.

Instructively, those vying for political offices and their supporters must have proven record of good character and mentally stable. Desperate political office seekers should be rejected by all in Nigeria and beyond.

Above all, the fear of God must be shared or preached to all a sundry if our democracy must survive and sustained. Government and her agencies or institutions such as INEC, judiciary, security personnel and political class must do the needful and take responsibility of their actions or inactions.

Government should embark on massive industrialization scheme and agricultural development to engage the teeming school of unemployed youths to be productive and self-reliant instead of being are willing tools in the hands of wicked people who sponsored violence in their communities during elections.

It is on record that some politicians vowed to make this country ungovernable if they don’t become what they want. It is my turn to be in power, rotation or zoning formula of political positions among politicians are dangerous scenario and height of desperation that need to be nipped in the bud.

Turn by turn, zoning or ration formula as well as do or die are thinking of mediocre and will continue to undermine democracy for years to come. We need politicians that are creative with ideas and easily understand the problems who can proffer solutions to the challenges facing us as a nation rather than bogus political promises that never see the light of the day.

Politics is for development and we must discover those with the purpose to serve and bring the needed progress as well as lift up the standard of living of the downtrodden in the society.

Thus, Nigerians should decree and declare Isaiah Chapter 5:20 “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”.

It is high time we put a stop or eliminate the evils or dangers of political violence in the land for the good and benefit of all Nigerians and others.

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