Political Violence and Future of Nigerian Democracy
Posted: Monday, February 01, 2010
by Rahaman Onike
Political violence is a common phenomenon in Nigeria. it is a deliberate use of force to achieve specific political objectives. Obviously, political violence is encouraged by internal and external contradictions in the nation's political system. A range of political crises are triggered off by political differences of the ruling elite.
The fact that politics deals with power acquisition and allocation of resources, the instinct and urge for political violence become inescapable reality in social engineering. Although, violence in Nigerian politics sometimes seem to possess liberating and redemptive value. Corruption, poverty and high rate of illiteracy promote the culture of political violence in Nigeria.
The persistence of political crises symptomizes ugly trends in the political development of the nation. Consequently, political violence could arise from wide spread frustration in the polity.
In some instances, violence erupts in politics as a manifestation of high joblessness of people. Also, money politics has corrosive effects on the political system. Sadly, electoral violence is a major threat to the democratic ethos in Nigeria . Indeed, poor democratic ethos of those seeking public offices for self enrichment encourages electoral violence.
The use of weapon, arms and ammunition are increasingly been associated with electoral violence. At every stage of the electoral process, politicians employ the services of touts to intimidate the opponents and the opposing parties. The quality of their weapons changes with time and sooner than later these thugs become the politicians' special squad or private army.
The experience reveals that political violence could be perpetrated to disrupt the selection of candidate for an election. And, violence could be committed in the course of campaign, political rallies and during elections. Physical assult, molestation of opponents and other forms of harassments are common features of the electoral violence in Nigeria .
With the persistence of the electoral violence in Nigeria the future of democracy appears bleak. Essentially, right political culture, socialization and values need to be inculcated in the citizen. The perpetrators of political violence must be properly prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others. Efforts should equally be made to reduce the influence of the money and godfatherism in Nigerian politics.
Lastly, law enforcement Agencies need to be re-orientated and be equipped to effectively combat political and electoral violence.
BY
ONIKE RAHAMAN
FREELANCE WRITER & EDITORIAL CONSULTANT
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