By Jubril Bada

Political violence and thuggery would discourage decent people from venturing into politics if not checkmated.
An Associate Professor of Law at the Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Professor Olugbenga Samuel, made the assertion during a radio programme in Akure, the state capital.
He said that the ugly situation in the political system of the nation has gone a long way in allowing wrong people to occupy leadership posts.
The don who stated that the ugly trend is not only limited to killing but could be grouped into psychological, physical and structural violence used by politicians to intimidate other political parties, politicians within the party ,or the electorates.
According to him, since the country’s independence, thuggery and violence have been part of the country’s politics preventing people with dignity to come into politics for the development of the country as a nation.
Prof. Samuel noted that lack of parental care and poverty are among the factors contributing to the rampant political thuggery and violence in the country.
He added that corruption among security agencies also contributed largely to this ugly development.
“If security agencies do what is needful ,the election in the country will be free of thuggery and violence,” he said.
While advising youths not to allow themselves to be used as political thugs in the forthcoming governorship election in the state, the Don called on politicians to give room for fair play as the people of the state elect the governor of their choice.