By Bamidele Kolawole

Political thuggery and violence have become troubling issues in Nigeria, deeply impacting the country’s democratic process and social stability. These activities, often driven by political desperation, undermine the foundations of democracy, threaten the safety of citizens, and discourage active public participation in governance.

It is a gross violation of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for anybody to be engaged in thuggery and political violence in whatever situation.

Violence is divided into various categories. We have societal violence such as kidnapping, indecent assault, rape and general assault. We also have unlawful gathering or unlawful assembly.

The Nigeria law frowns at upon thuggery and violence in all its ramifications.

There are various Criminal Law provisions that prohibits thuggery and all other acts of violence ranging from conduct likely to cause the breach of public peace to homicide laws.

It should be noted that thuggery and violent activities not only disrupt the public peace, it can also lead to assault occasioning grievous bodily harm or even death.

There are various criminal punishments under our criminal jurisprudence for all these criminal infractions.

Thuggery and violence thrive in our society because  politicians place premium on these social malady. The politicians are fond of using thugs to intimidate, harass, assault, maim or even kill perceived political opponents for political advantage.

It is needless to say here that thugs are used to cause mayhem during electioneering processes such as political campaigns and on election day proper.

Thugs are freely used to snatch or hijack ballot boxes during elections and in the process of doing that, they employ violence aided with dangerous weapons to perpetrate these dastardly acts.

There is no gainsaying the fact that, in the process of thuggery and violence, many people, particularly innocent electorates are killed, maimed and violently assaulted.

These are criminal offences to wit: murder (contrary to Section 316 of the Criminal Code) and unlawful assault (contrary to Section 253 of the Criminal Code) to mention but a few.

Even extant provisions of Electoral Act, 2010 prohibits all forms of electoral violence and provides commensurate punishments for such infractions.

With all said and done, our law frowns upon thuggery and violence in all ramifications. It should be vehemently discouraged.

Political thuggery and political violence have been a major problem factor over time affecting the supervision of elections in Nigeria, thereby depreciating the value of democracy in the conduct of elections.
Thuggery as defined in the English dictionary, is ”the violent act of thugs and violence.”
On the other hand, the Black dictionary defines it as, ” the use of physical force accompanied by fury, vehemence, or outrage.”
However, some courts have held that violence in labour disputes is not limited to physical contacts or injury, but may include marketing conducted with misleading signs, false statement, erroneous publicity, and veiled threats by words and acts.
The Nigerian political scene has experienced violence and thuggery in varying degrees, with ruffians being hired by politicians to intimidate their opponents or cause disruptions during election time.
It is, therefore, proper to say that thuggery in Nigerian politics, is a means to an end causing menace in the nation’s democratic system.
If we say democracy is the government of the people and by the people, then parts played through political violence obstruct that ideology.
Since the pre-independence general elections of 1959, politic in Nigeria has been characterised by thuggery and violence and the law still stands it’s place on prohibiting such violent acts.
Section 40 of the CFRN 1999 as Amended stipulates, “every person should be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular, he may form or belong to any political party.”
This part of the law strongly stands against any form of unlawful assembly such that the act of thuggery and violence carried out through an assembly of people with the intent of causing menace and disruption in political activities becomes unlawful and liable for punishment under the law.
Humans are insatiable and their desire for self-interest can never be satisfied, thus giving birth to different interests and desires in politics. This becomes a tool for political parties to achieve their aims and interest and using available means to secure that interest.
Despite using thuggery and violence even for the purpose of achieving their desired aims and interest, the law still frowns against any form of unlawful assembly for thuggery and violence as categorised here.
In the course of reducing and containing this ever-rising interest of political individuals, sanctions and punishments are prescribed, in Chapter 10, Section 69 of the Criminal Code, (C.C), which provide that, ”when three or more persons, with intent to carry out some common purpose, assemble in such a manner or being assembled, conduct themselves in such a manner as to cause persons in the neighbourhood to fear on reasonable grounds, that the persons so assembled with tumultuous motive to disturb the peace, and provoke other persons without any reasonable occasion, they are an unlawful assembly.”
Section 70 of the C.C further states the punishment liable for such offence as, ” Any person who takes parts in an unlawful assembly is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for one year the law defines its position by clearly defining thuggery and violence as an unlawful assembly and also further stipulate the punishment for such offences ( thuggery and violence) and prescribes measures .
Section 81 of the C.C that deals with the breach of peace states, any person, who, in a manner is likely to cause a breach of the peace or reasonable apprehension of a breach of peace….. is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for one year.”
When there is an unlawful assembly or unlawful gathering act like thuggery and violent acts, in which disturbance and disorder to the society is inevitable, such act is violent since it has caused a breach of the peace in the society and thereby makes the gathering reliable to the punishment prescribed.
The law, with no doubt has maintained its position by not encouraging those acts (thuggery and violence), by providing the punishment and sanctions liable for those offenders.

Engaging in thuggery and political violence is a grave violation of Nigeria’s Constitution, regardless of the circumstances. Violence manifests in many forms, including societal crimes such as kidnapping, assault, rape, and unlawful gatherings—all of which the law condemns as they disrupt public order.

Unfortunately, some politicians exploit groups like the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and others to carry out violent acts around election periods. However, the law is explicit: when police apprehend individuals involved in political violence, they must be charged under relevant sections of the Criminal Code.

The severity of the offence dictates which court will hear the case. Serious assault cases are generally tried in the High Court, while less severe cases may go to Magistrate Court, based on jurisdictional authority.

Ultimately, thuggery and political violence must be removed from our political landscape. Young people should recognize that politicians often exploit them only to discard them once their aims are achieved. Those who engage in these illegal acts often face jail or worse punishments. Youths should therefore avoid these activities, and politicians should reject the notion that politics is a “do or die” pursuit; today’s loss could become tomorrow’s victory.

Political thuggery and violence are significant threats to Nigeria’s democracy, destabilizing society and discouraging citizen participation.
These issues arise largely from political desperation, poverty, weak law enforcement, and lack of political education.
Common forms of political violence include assault, property destruction, vote rigging, and kidnapping—all aimed at intimidating opponents or manipulating elections.
Such violence weakens democratic institutions, increases insecurity, deters youth involvement, and disrupts the economy.
To address this, Nigeria must strengthen law enforcement, create economic opportunities for youth, promote civic education, and hold politicians accountable.
By fostering respect for the rule of law and promoting peaceful political engagement, Nigeria can build a more secure and democratic future.

Allow me to present my concise legal perspective on the matter at hand.
From a legal standpoint, thuggery and political violence have no legitimacy under the law; indeed, the law strongly condemns these practices.
It is an established principle that all actions within a democratic society, such as Nigeria, must align with the framework of the law.
As emphasized in the landmark case of Marbury v. Madison, the rule of law is vastly superior to arbitrary authority.

Political thuggery and violence have become troubling issues in Nigeria, deeply impacting the country’s democratic process and social stability. These activities, often driven by political desperation, undermine the foundations of democracy, threaten the safety of citizens, and discourage active public participation in governance.
Understanding the causes, impact, and possible solutions is essential for building a more peaceful and democratic Nigeria.
Several factors contribute to the prevalence of political thuggery and violence in Nigeria. Key among them are:
Political Desperation and Greed: Some politicians view politics as a “do or die” affair, often valuing personal gains over the well-being of the nation. This desperation leads them to resort to violent means to secure electoral victories and retain power.
High Poverty and Unemployment Rates: Many young people, facing limited economic opportunities, are susceptible to recruitment by politicians who offer monetary incentives in exchange for carrying out violent acts. For these youths, political thuggery seems like a path to survival.
Weak Law Enforcement and Judicial Systems: Inconsistent enforcement of laws and a lack of accountability embolden individuals and groups to engage in political violence, knowing that consequences are unlikely or minimal.
Lack of Political Education: Many citizens lack awareness of the democratic process and their role within it, which leads to political apathy and leaves them vulnerable to manipulation by politicians.
Assault and Physical Attacks: These are often directed against political opponents, activists, and journalists to intimidate or silence them.
Destruction of Property: Vandalism and arson, especially targeted at opposition party properties, have become common tactics to intimidate and dissuade opponents.
Ballot Snatching and Vote Rigging: These actions interfere with the democratic process by preventing free and fair elections.
Kidnapping and Assassination: High-profile cases of abductions and assassinations of political figures or their family members often underscore election periods.
The effects of political thuggery and violence on Nigeria are profound and far-reaching. These impacts include:
Weakening of Democratic Institutions: Political violence undermines free and fair elections, resulting in governance that may not reflect the will of the people.
Increased Insecurity: Political violence contributes to the overall climate of insecurity, causing fear and anxiety among citizens.
Discouragement of Youth Involvement in Politics: Young people may lose faith in the political process and avoid participating in it, leading to reduced civic engagement and leadership development.
Economic Consequences: Violence disrupts economic activities, deters investment, and contributes to an unstable environment that hinders growth and development.
Possible Solutions to Political Thuggery and Violence
Addressing political thuggery and violence requires a comprehensive approach involving the government, civil society, and the general public. Potential solutions include:
Strengthening Law Enforcement: Law enforcement agencies should be empowered to enforce laws impartially and bring those involved in political violence to justice.
Economic Empowerment of Youths: Addressing unemployment and poverty through job creation and economic initiatives can reduce the number of youths vulnerable to exploitation by politicians.
Political Education and Awareness: Civic education should be promoted to inform citizens of their rights and responsibilities in a democratic society, reducing the ease with which they can be manipulated.
Holding Politicians Accountable: Political leaders who encourage or condone violence should be held accountable, with strict penalties to deter such behavior.
Conclusion
Political thuggery and violence present a significant challenge to Nigeria’s democratic growth. A concerted effort by all stakeholders is essential to promote peaceful political engagement, protect democratic values, and build a safer and more stable Nigeria. By fostering a political culture grounded in respect for the rule of law and encouraging active civic participation, Nigeria can work toward a brighter democratic future.

Participating in thuggery and political violence is a serious breach of Nigeria’s Constitution. Violence, in its various forms—such as kidnapping, assault, rape, and unlawful assemblies—constitutes criminal offence that the law condemns as harmful to public order and societal peace.

Regrettably, some politicians exploit groups, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and others, to commit violent acts during election periods. However, the law is clear: individuals caught engaging in political violence must be prosecuted under the appropriate sections of the Criminal Code.

The gravity of an offence determines the court of jurisdiction. Severe assault cases are generally handled by the High Court, while lesser offences may be directed to the Magistrates Court, depending on the court’s authority.

In the end, eliminating thuggery and political violence is essential for a stable political environment. Young people must recognize that politicians often use them for personal gain and then discard them. Those who engage in these illegal acts risk jail time or worse punishments. Youths should resist involvement in such activities, and politicians should abandon the mentality of politics as a “do or die” mission; a loss today can turn into a win tomorrow.