Youths involvement in political thuggery: Its implications to the Nigerian Society

Abstract

Political thuggery has developed and assumed dreadful recurrent dimensions, indeed a vicious circle in Nigeria. The political culture of thuggery with increasing massive youth involvement in Nigeria in the present democratic dispensation seems to have come to stay. The situation is worrisome and alarming especially as it indicates that the country is turning out anti-social and criminally oriented youths instead of credible youths with integrity. This has serious implications for Nigeria’s development and democracy. Among other things, democracy is still battling with political thuggery which derives its energy and dominance force from the youths of the Nigerian population. Over the years, the activities of thugs have been legitimatized and powerfully backed by the political class and unfortunately in Northern part of the country, most of these thugs have metamorphosed into Boko Haram and Fulani Herdsmen. This study is therefore, meant to examine youths involvement in political thuggery: its implications to the Nigerian society. The study critically examined the overview, causes, effects and implications of youths involvement in political thuggery in Nigeria. The teeming youths who are supposed to have been harnessed or trained towards nation building are used by politicians particularly those in power to harass and intimidate the opposition including the innocent citizens and at worse maim and kill under the influence of drugs and political power. Thus, their precious energy is misused in destabilizing the society. The paper shows that the act of political thuggery is perpetrated by the youths who are supposed to be good future leaders of the society. It recommends that the three major social institutions (educational, family and religious institutions) should be utilized in ensuring healthy political culture among the Nigerian youths through political socialization and youth participation in leadership positions should be encouraged.