IMPLICATION OF POLITICAL THUGGERY AND VIOLENCE IN CONSOLIDATION OF DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The ugly phenomenon of thuggery in Nigerian politics space is a hydra-monster. The prevalent incidences of political thuggery particularly during general elections and even re-run elections in the country is alarming. Political thuggery is an aspect of social violence which is devastating in Nigerian democracy. The menace has become detrimental to democratic sustainability in Nigerian politics in which thugs move mostly in groups victimising, terrorising, intimidating, and injuring innocent individuals and politicians. Accordingly, the phenomenon affects individuals to pose deadly threats by deterring individuals to be active in political processes and routine socio-economic activities at their homes, shops and on the streets. The method of data collection and analysis is qualitative. The study used Elite Theory as the tool of analysis which postulates that elites are responsible for recruiting and training of thugs to serve their selfish interest of maintaining and controlling political power. The findings revealed that thuggery created fear among candidates which hindered electorate political participation

 

 

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background of the study

Political thuggery is a devastating phenomenon in Nigerian politics. It has brought about the loss of lives and valuable properties with socio-political and economic consequences. This phenomenon is characterized by crisis, conflict, dispute, rebellion, violence and even war which affect political development especially democratic sustainability. The phenomenon has become detrimental to democratic sustainability in Nigerian. The thugs move mostly in organised groups victimising, terrorising, intimidating, and injuring not only politicians but also innocent individuals. The menace is responsible for poor political culture as it results to death or poses deadly threats by deterring individuals from actively per taking into political processes and routine socio-economic activities at their homes, shops and on the streets within the country. Accordingly, Elites and politicians recruit unemployed youths into thuggery for their self-aggrandizement during political processes like campaigns and elections to serve as thugs, to snatch ballot papers and ballot boxes (Hassan, 2011). Elite most especially political class who hold political power used various means in order to remain in power without considering the state of socio-political harmony of their respective societies and the sustainability of democracy. This ugly phenomenon in Nigeria’s political life poses a serious threat to democratic consolidation in the country, which is one of the cherished goals of the transformation agenda of the present administration. In February 2012, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan stated during the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial rally in Cross River state that his administration would conduct the 2015 general elections “without the security (personnel) carrying guns”. According to President Jonathan, We want to make sure that we conduct election in Nigeria without the police, we want to conduct election without security people carrying guns, we want a situation where Nigerians will queue up, vote and go back home, the votes are counted and nobody is cheated so that at the end of elections, there will not be all kinds of litigation (Fadeyi, 2012). During his visit to New York, United States of America in September, 2014 President Jonathan once again reassured Nigerians, and the international community at large, that the general elections of 2015 in Nigeria would be conducted in accordance with global best practices. This, according to him, is to further strengthen the country’s democratic institutions. President Jonathan further stated that this resolve to conduct free, fair and credible elections in 2015 “is in keeping with his administration’s dedication to openness and transparency in the conduct of public affairs” (Taiwo-Obalonye, 2014). The optimism of President Jonathan about the possibility of conducting peaceful, orderly and violent-free elections in 2015 devoid of heavy presence of security personnel appears to be a tall dream. This is in consideration of the history of general elections in Nigeria since independence and, more so, the persistence of the culture of political violence in which political thugs play dominant role. For instance, the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar observed in 2005 that “our democracy is corrupt”. He frankly admitted that “the electoral system that brought him and others into office was largely fraudulent and imperfect”. (Lere and Akor, 2005).

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Despite the fact that the 2011 General Elections have been adjudged to be freer and fairer than the past ones, the prevalence of political violence during the primaries and during the elections evidently showed that the country has not institutionalized an ideal democratic culture. The imperfection associated with the electoral system largely emanate from the desperation of some politicians for political offices. Such politicians often engage the services of thugs to achieve fraudulent victory through the manipulation of the electoral process. During the presidential campaign of 2015 and 2019 election respectively, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan warned politicians against violence. He stated that his political ambition or that of any politician is not worth the blood of any Nigerian. But in subsequent election revers is the case as the 2019 election witness a lot of bloodshed and thuggery across different part of the country like in Kogi, Lagos, Port Harcourt Kano etc. It is against this backdrop that the researcher intend to investigate the implication of political thuggery and violence in consolidation of Democracy in Nigeria

• OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The overall objectives of this research work is to ascertain the implication of political thuggery and violence in consolidation of democracy in Nigeria, the specific objectives are;

1. To examine the role of effect of political thuggery and violence in consolidating democracy in Nigeria
2. To examine the impact of political thuggery in the development of Nigeria’s democracy.

• To ascertain if there is any significant relationship between political thuggery and electoral violence in Nigeria

1. To ascertain the role of government in combatting this menace
   • RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions were formulated by the researcher to aid the completion of the study;

1. Is there any significant relationship between political thuggery and electoral violence in Nigeria?
2. Does government play any role in combatting this menace of political thuggery?

• Is there any impact of political thuggery in the development of Nigeria’s democracy

1.4 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

For the successful completion of the study, the following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher;

H₀: there is no significant relationship between political thuggery and electoral violence in Nigeria

H₁: there is a significant relationship between political thuggery and electoral violence in Nigeria

H₀₂:  there is no impact of political thuggery in the development of Nigeria’s democracy.

H₂:  there is impact of political thuggery in the development of Nigeria’s democracy.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This research work expected to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on the topic under review. Its dimension and indication is appropriately a phenomenon which is on the implication of political thuggery and violence in consolidating democracy in Nigeria. The study will also be of importance to researchers who intend to embark on a study in a similar topic as the study will serve as a reference point to further study, finally the study will be of importance to students, teachers, academia’s and the general public as the study will add to the pool of existing literature and also contribute to knowledge.

1.6 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The scope of this research is within the range of the implication of political thuggery and violence in consolidation of democracy. However, in the process of carrying out a research of this nature, many problems were encountered. The obstacles so faced in this research work majorly include:

AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study

TIME: The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.

FINANCE: The finance available for the research work does not allow for wider coverage as resources are very limited as the researcher has other academic bills to cover.

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Political thuggery: Is defined as the use of illegitimate force to gain political power.

Politics: Is the act and practice of influencing the electorates in voting in representatives.

Development: According to David Basta, development means the movement for a positive change.

Rural areas: According to Suleiman Justine, Rural areas are the remote villages that are out of a state capital.

Democracy

A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.

1.8 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows

Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), historical background, statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical background of the study. Chapter two highlights the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature. Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.  Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study

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