IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS)

Volume 21, Issue 1, Ver.III (Jan. 2016) PP 01-07

e-ISSN: 2279-0837, p-ISSN: 2279-0845.
www.iosrjournals.org

Political Thuggery And The Crisis Of Confidence Among Youths

In Nigeria
May Omogho Esiri (Ph.D.)
Senior Lecturer Department of Sociology and Psychology, Faculty of the Social Sciences, Delta State
University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract: 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 state 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. In recent times, majority of
Nigeria’s politicians, some of whom occupy/play the role of political godfathers do not participate in politics
with the desire to improve the living conditions of the Nigerian people. Rather they enter into politics with the
desire to make themselves known or popular. That is, the desire for self-aggrandizement self-actualization and
greed for wealth and power. Therefore, these politicians in their desperate determination to win elections at all
cost, introduce violence, killings/assassinations, kidnappings, ballot snatching and distortion of electoral results
into the democratic political process through the use of thugs majority of whom are youths. These political
godfathers train, feed and brainwash them with their political ideologies, supply them with illicit drugs,
sometimes involve them in rituals, and give them monetary and material gratifications. Some are given jobs as
personal assistants. Thus, the youths take to thuggery to escape the pressures and frustrations of poverty, that
has become the bane of many Nigerian youths today. They become gainfully employed with salaries by
participating in anti-social activities that go unpunished and are encouraged by powerful and legitimate
political elites. This paper argues that as a result, the youths see Nigeria as a failed state and choose thuggery
(which is illegitimate), as a means to success. It recommends that the Nigerian government should attack
thuggery vehemently and any politician that is found to be/to have been involved in thuggery or found to own
thugs should be punished in election tribunal sittings. There should be no sacred cows and the public should be
well informed.

I. Introduction
In recent times in Nigeria, thuggery has become an integral part of politics. The political sphere has
become characterized with incessant intimidation, assault and in some cases bloodshed by warring party gangs
or political opponents (Gboyega 2004) most alarming about the situation is that youths who should be rational
and confident of their future prospects are now experiencing a dirge of certainty about their future and the future
of Nigeria.
Thugs are young, violent and dangerous individuals Therefore thuggery implies the dangerous
behaviour of thugs. Frank and Wagnalls, 1975, states that the term „thug‟ or „thuggery‟ was coined from the
Hindu word THAG or THAGI which implies‟ murderer or swindler, an assassin, a cut throat or Rufian‟
Abikhuale and Tor-Anyin, 2013, suggests that „to achieve their targets and set goals as expected by their master,
thugs can eliminate any human or otherwise obstacle in their way, without any feelings of remorse‟. Youths are
usually full of excessive energy. Even The Holy Bible recognizes that the youthful days of a man are the days
when he can exercise energy and declares that the older years will come when a man can no longer find such
energy.
In line with the above, political thuggery can therefore be defined as any negative behaviour associated
with violence, hooliganism, kidnapping, murder, assassination, gang action and trouble „shooting‟, that is
connected or related to any political process. Political thugs are often criminals or social delinquents. They are
strongly instrumental in distorting electoral results, snatching of ballot boxes, alteration of election results,
elimination of political opponents, under the influence of drugs and supernatural powers. (Ortese, 2004) They
are constantly involved in organized acts of violence, intimidation and blackmail, directed against a political
opponent to achieve political objectives (Ortese 2004).
Since 1960, that is, after the independence of Nigeria, thuggery has been an integral part of the
Nigerian political and (in particular) electoral process. Samuel (2013) pointed out that „the fact about the
existence of thuggery activities in Nigeria before, during and after election is not in dispute‟. He mentioned the
following examples: the political tussle between Akintola and Awolowo in the first republic (1960-1969) both
of whom made use of the services of thugs that resulted in threats, assassinations, violence and the breakdown
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 Political Thuggery And The Crisis Of Confidence Among Youths In Nigeria

of law and order in Yoruba land (Isichei, 1984), the use of the „yan daba‟ youths in Kano by the Northern
Peoples‟ Congress (NPC) to intercept the victory of NEPU, also in the first republic and the snatching of ballot
boxes by gunmen at polling stations which characterized the 2007 and subsequently, the 2012 elections.
Again, the report of the National Human Rights Commission that monitored the conduct of security
personnel in each of the six (6) geopolitical zones that involved eighteen (18) states of the federation and the
federal capital territory in the 2007 April elections revealed that a number of state security personnel were over-
powered by thugs who snatched ballot boxes in the same polling stations (NHR 2007) The Human Rights Watch
(a body that is committed to defending human rights world wide) also reported that less than three hundred
(300) Nigerians were killed in violence linked to 2007 elections. The 2015 election held in April was not an
exception, in particular, the governorship elections. Though some accredited observers registered the elections
as free and fair, it has also been reported to be marred by widespread violence, snatching of ballot boxes as well
as killings in some states and massive rigging involving security agents and officials of the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) in many of the states (Uche-Okobi, 2015). These states include,
Anambra, Enugu, and Delta. She also observed that in Akwa-Ibom, and especially River State, it was reported
that the 2015 elections witnessed widespread violence with massive hijacking of election materials by armed
thugs and killings by suspected political thugs (Uche – Okobi, 2015). Similar cases of killings and
assassinations by party rival thugs (some of whom also lost their lives or were caught by security personnels)
characterized the election.
Kushee, 2000, notes that the services of thugs are engaged during elections by party bulwarks or
opponents and that in some instances employees, permanent secretaries and commissioners are mobilized in
large numbers to work for the party and are mandated to deliver their wards, constituencies or local
governments as the case may be. Again it has been observed that rival groups within political parties also use
violence during contest and thugs play vital roles such as stifling and snatching ballot boxes (Collier and
Vincente, 2008). The political patronage by the Nigerian elites since after independence ushered in and has
continued to retain, political thuggery. These elites have political and material base but most importantly, they
have their traditional rulers and ethnic groups as a base. They also have access to state power and resources
(Karl, 1968, Isa 2008, Anucha, 2011). For example, the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu was reported to have been
so angry when it was said that the easterners voted for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the elections
of March 2015 that he urged the Ibos to cast their votes for Ambode of the All Progressive Congress or perish
inside the lagoon (Uche – Obi, 2015)
As a result, the elites have continued to present themselves as the ambassadors for Nigerians as well as
the owners of leadership, at every point in time. The youths therefore are to continue to be their tools and stooge
with a bleak or no hope of becoming leaders themselves in the future. As it is generally said, power corrupts and
absolute power corrupts absolutely. However, power is not a common commodity and the determination by
some politicians to have it at all cost as well as the greed for money is what has produced the culture of political
thuggery and has continued to perpetuate it in Nigeria.
Many Nigerians, hold the notion that it is only political power that can give them access to economic
power and political positions or offices. This, as well as their agrandisements have continued to fuel the
activities of political thugs, majority of whom are youths who are educated or uneducated. Political thuggery
seems to have come to stay in Nigeria and is becoming entrenched not only in its politics but also in its context
and culture of work or job as well as a way of life. It becomes even more worrisome for the youths of this
nation, as it appears to have become a legitimate ladder of success. It is against this background that this paper
has emerged. It will attempt to answer the questions, „Is thuggery becoming institutionalized through politics in
Nigeria? What are the enabling environments or phenomena for youth involvement in political thuggery? And
what are the implications of political thuggery for the Nigerian youth?

Political Godfatherism And Thuggery Among Nigerian Youths

This paper identifies godfatherism with behaviour that is associated with the roles of a father. In the
Nigerian culture, fathers are highly valued and respected. They represent the source of livelihood and success in
life and are described as „breadwinners‟ (Onwuejeogwe, A 1994, Akintunde, 2001). So also are elders held in
high esteem with great respect and approval and are regarded as the custodians of the wisdom that is necessary
for any child or youth to make it in life. A father also occupies the position of an elder. Again, God is seen to be
„Almighty‟ (that is all sufficient and with all power). Thus anyone with the synonym „godfather‟ will not only
attract the attention of any Nigerian youth but will appeal to him/her especially if he is seen to have the „bread‟
(money). Hence the ideology of „godfatherism‟ is capable of giving the youths a false image and dulling the
pains that result from the criminality of political godfatherism and thuggery. Political godfatherism may be
defined as the abuse of behaviour that is related to the roles of a father.
Political godfathers are financiers and instigators who dangle their affluence, wealth, money and
ideologies before the people in lower classes (particularly, the poor and disadvantaged) and/or illiterates

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 Political Thuggery And The Crisis Of Confidence Among Youths In Nigeria

(Odivwri, 2003, Albert, 2005). They play money politics and train and empower thugs to harass, intimidate,
victimize or kill opponents or perceived opponents. Thugs empowerment include supply of guns, and regular
supply of illicit drugs. Samuel 2014, described Nigerian political thugs as „violent, unemployed and mostly drug
addicts‟. According to him, these thugs include area boys, students, criminal gangs and ethnic militias such as
Oduwa Peoples Congress (OPC) in Lagos, Egbesu Boys or ex-militants in the Niger Delta, Bakassi Boys in
Calabar, and the Sera-Suka (cut and Stab) in Bauchi. The godfathers employ some of these thugs to protect them
and do their dirty jobs. That is some of the thugs are actually salaried (Nnamani 2003, Nigerian compass 2011,
Mbala 2013). The children of godfathers (and sometimes family members) are kept out of thuggery activities.
They are hidden away.
Often times an incumbent/aspirant godfather or financier will not get directly involved in acts of
thuggery. They hide from and are protected from the direct line of action, bad publicity or anything that might
jeopardize their ambition (Albert, 2005). They are also protected from the onslaught of the law. Gboyega, 2004
described political godfathers as persons who by design live above the laws and constitution of Nigeria, are
entitled to police escorts‟ and whose thugs carry arms freely. These body guards and „interest guards‟ (ie those
who protect and defend the interests of godfathers) are relentless, heartless, brutal and very committed to their
godfathers but can sometimes be irrational. It is important to note here that most of these thugs are illiterate,
redundant and unemployed youths (Nda, 2004, Samuel 2013). Who readily find employment with
remunerations in the systematic criminalization of politics with or without appointments, by the very elites who
should be protecting the sanctity and social order of the Nigerian polity. Such appointments include those of
special advisers, special assistants and personnal assistants (Mbaka 2013).
There is no doubt therefore that the youths involved in thuggery no longer have their own dreams and
even if they do, they cannot sustain it. They no longer think for themselves or for their country. Their dreams as
well as interests are lost in the dreams and interests of the political godfathers. They lose their individualities
and identities and put on those designed for them.

Causes Of Youth Involvement In Political Thuggery

Past studies have projected various causes of the spontaneous and increasing thuggery activities among
youths in the recent democratic dispensation. However, this paper focuses on what may be considered it‟s major
causes.

Unemployment and Poverty

Environments of economic hardship and poverty can be responsible for youths thuggery activities.
Some studies (Reno 2002, Umar, 2003, Haruna and Jumba, 2011), have argued that youths who grow up or that
live in environments of social disorganization such as slum areas where poverty, prostitution, single parenting,
drug abuse, drunkenness and violence abound are most likely to end up as thugs because such areas also
represent residences of low-income earners or jobless individuals. Again, there is a strong likelihood that the
youths will take to political thuggery as a means of survival. In addition, political elites may capitalize on the
youths‟ vulnerability to poverty and make efforts to enlist them into their army of thugs. A study carried out by
Ali, 2014 to find out the relationship between drug abuse and political thuggery in Kano metropolis revealed
that 51 percent of the 134 youths sampled, engaged in violence and 25.9 percent of the 51 percent indicated that
they derive monetary benefit by engaging in political violence. He observed that “the youths considered the
benefits as more than the risk and the possible apprehension by the police” (Ali, 2014). Other studies
(Adebanwi, 20014, Afobarometer 2006, Mehler, 2007) have also shown that youths who readily submit
themselves to violence and acts of thuggery are unemployed and wallowing in poverty. They are sometimes
promised jobs, contract awards, material gifts like cars and good clothings. Some youngstars from very poor
homes have been enticed with just the promise of three meals daily. Njoku, 2012 posits that “the availability of
various groups of idle men and gangsters in many urban cities in the country, provides opportunity for the
recruitment of thugs”. Also Haruna and Jumba 2011 notes, that in line with the common saying, „a hungry man
is an angry man‟, little effort is required for the poor and needy to join any group of militia/thugs‟. On their part
Yesufu and Ifua 2015, reported that seventy-nine (79) members of the House of Representatives had urged
President Mohammed Buhari to declare a state of emergency on employment and that the Nigerian Bureau of
Statistics put the nations unemployment rate this year 2015 at 7.5 per cent.

Political Ideologies
The ideology of „do or die‟ and godfatherism among Nigerian politicians is one of the root causes of
political thuggery. Some of them believe that politics is a war in which the winner takes it all and therefore,
winning is a must irrespective of the cost. That is winning can be by „hook or crook‟. Therefore, the political
arena, becomes more of a war field. It is as a result of this that politics in the country is characterized by
violence, gunshots and bloodshed, blackmail, kidnapping, etc Fabowale 2011, writes as follows:

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 Political Thuggery And The Crisis Of Confidence Among Youths In Nigeria

“In Nigeria, politics is not a game, it is a war. The blood-stained pages of the nations political annals,
it‟s do-or-die character exemplified by thuggery, violence, blackmail and vendetta that define political
behaviour of stakeholders all testify to this” (Fabowale 2011 p12).
The „do or die‟ ideology emerged because politics became a very lucrative business. The remunerations
of political officers have become exceeding attractive. www.nigeriabestforum.com revealed that according to
Sanusi Lamido Sanusi former controller of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) now Emir of Kano, indicated that the
National Assembly took the bulk of the federal budget in 2008, 2009 and 2010 respectively and that most of
government spending was on recurrent expenditure and not on the masses. This trend runs through the federal,
state and local governments. It has also been further revealed that Nigerian‟s state political officers earn more
than those from the United State of America and the United Kingdom (Rawala and Aniyo, 2006).
Noteworthy also, is the fact that money politics has been introduced into Nigeria‟s politics. Politicians
spend huge sums of money to secure or buy political offices. For example, they buy votes, „king-makers‟ (that is
the political cabals) and thugs (Mehler, 2007). They therefore, see themselves as investors and whatever will
stand or attempt to prevent them from gaining their investments must be done away with through, thuggery
activities of violence, killings and kidnappings.
Again, the politicians are not only desperate to be at the helm of the affairs of the nation at all cost but
also want to control men to arouse their ego as well as enhance their criminal political career (godfatherism).
They want to have an army of men who will do their bidding unfailingly (Albert, 2005). Most importantly, the
army would actualize their do-or-die ideology. Therefore, both ideologies are significantly related and it is this
interconnectedness that spurs the vehemence and determination with which politicians scramble and mobilize
youths as thugs for political action and survival in their life time.

Corruption and weakness in the Nigerian State

Over the years, the Nigerian state has become competively authoritarian thus creating room for abuse
of state apparatus as well as fraud in the democratic process. The very institutions that are supposed to protect
and maintain the sanctity of the law are the same that obstruct due process especially during elections. These
include the security agents, the judiciary and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC). Some of them in recent times are used to suppress the rule of law in order to offer undue favour to
parties or groups from whom they receive gratification of some sort (Afrobarometer, 2006). Such activities
sometimes lead to or end in riots or violent clashes between political entities which often times involve mostly
youths.
In the present civil dispensation politicians have become so anxious about writing, that dialogue,
negotiation and consensus have been relegated to the background. There is so much anxiety because of the
perceived or real loss of power by an elite stratum (Onyeamaizu, 2006). According to him, the struggle for
political power is majorly among the elites that won it before, those that lost it and those who won it back‟. It is
this contention for the control and retention of power that has made intra-political party conflicts to be on the
upsurge. The lack of party internal democracy is often times apparent in the party primaries and selection of
party national executive officers.
The processes of dialogue, negotiation and consensus are either not properly put in place and ensured
or do not exist in the first place. Instead politicians engage themselves in all sorts of anti-social and criminal
activities, change the rules and legislations of the political exercise and distort laws (Collier and Vincente, 2008,
Njoku, 2012). Onyemaizu, 2006, observes
„A resort to violence including armed militancy, assassination, kidnap, et cetera have somewhat
suddenly become attractive to certain individuals in seeking to resolve issues that could ordinarily be settled‟
As noted by Omeje, 2010, internal democracy is one issue that has consistently eluded Nigeria‟s democracy in
virtually all the four republics in the country since independence. He further observed that political parties have
always been hijacked at all levels by powerful elites who impose loyal clients and psycophants as candidates for
elections.

The Implications Of Thuggery For The Nigerian Youths

Political godfatherism and thuggery are a twin evil that not only wastes away the lives of many
Nigerian youths but leaves them with little or no hope of taking over the political affairs of this nation. The
youths involved are brain washed, deceived and kept as mercenaries that take the politicians to the state thrones.
As a result, often times it is the old political father (the same or new) that have mastered the tricks that win
elections or hold state offices and powers. This was clearly evidenced in president Buhari‟s first list of
ministerial nominees in which out of seventeen (17) candidates only two of them were below fifty (50) years of
age (channels Television) and majority of them were old time politicians and administrators. The two candidates
whom you may consider as youths were fourty-five (45) and fourty eight (48) years old respectively (Channels
Television, Nigeria).

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 Political Thuggery And The Crisis Of Confidence Among Youths In Nigeria

Also thuggery has made Nigerian youths to lose faith in the democratic process especially, credible and
patriotic youths. As identified by Njoku (2002), thuggery has contributed in no little measure in creating the
unfortunate scenario in most of the states whereby only the political party in power “calls the shots in public
affairs and ignores or muzzles the opposition”. Omotosho (2012) also observed that the “one-party nature of our
states makes our politics look like the power plays of a criminal gang dedicated not only to committing crimes
but also to escaping appropriate punishment.
In addition, the increasing attempts by political elites to entrench thuggery which is accompanied with
enticing promises and actual rewards which include financial and material benefits (sometimes quite huge) into
the political process seems to have established thuggery as a legitimate means to the goal of success. Therefore
while the youths are losing confidence in the Nigerian state, they are gaining confidence in the ladder of crime
that dirty politics and thuggery provides. Mbaya (2013) noted that “over the years, the activities of thugs have
been legitimized and powerfully backed by the political class”.

II. Theoretical Framework

The utilitarian theory of rational choice derives it‟s basic principles from neoclassical economics and
utilitarianism and game theory (Levi et al, 1990, Lindenberg, 2001, Simpson, 2007). It explains access and
opportunity as key factors in criminality. It argues that human beings rationalize their actions by calculating
means and ends. In other words, people freely choose their behaviour-whether conforming or deviant-based on
their rational calculation but choice is directed towards the maximization of usefulness and gain. Also implied in
this theory is that the state is responsible for maintaining order and preserving the common good through a
system of laws. Thus the state‟s swiftness, severity or uncertainty of punishment influences the choice or
behaviour of the individual(s). Youths choose to engage in thuggery after considering personal factors such as
joblessness, poverty, financial and material gains as well as situational factors such as the power/authority,
influence and protection (which includes protection from the aims of the law) of godfathers. The implication of
this is that there is an upsurge in thuggery because the benefit of engaging in political thuggery is high and the
cost is law and the youths are increasingly getting involved. In other words, gadfatherism and thuggery in
Nigeria are purposive activities or behavior. The politicians target the goal of winning elections and remaining
in the office, power and affluence for the sake of money and status and they work towards it with the use of
thugs. The thugs on their part, intentionally get involved in thuggery activities so as to obtain the necessities of
life such as money, food and shelter, as well as other needs like status and excitement. Thus the politicians,
through the activities of godfatherism are able to have access to and gain political victory while the thugs use
participation in the activities of political godfathers to gain money and the good things of life, which previously,
they were lacking. That is how thugs use thuggery for survival. It therefore becomes a cheer fatc that both the
politicians and thugs need each other for the sake of usefulness and again. In the most recent Nigeria
environment of increasing poverty and unemployment, hardship and difficulties this relatedness of usefulness
and gain has become lucrative for the godfathers and attractive to the youths of this nation.
The rational choice theory, lays much emphasis on individual‟s involvement in criminal activities and
tends to justify the fact that involvement in crime should be beneficial. Thugs are goal oriented. They consider
the cost (risk) and benefit (financial) gains and act accordingly.

III. Summary
Nigerian politicians recruit socio-economically gullible youths as thugs to perpetuate the anti-social,
criminal, undemocratic and illegitimate culture of violence, ballot snatching, kidnapping and killing, as well as
to protect them (ie the politicians) and obey their commands. The political fathers supply the thugs guns, illicit
drugs, etc. The failure of a thug to do their bidding or betrayal by a thug, can earn him or his family member(s)
very serious trouble, pain or even death. During the recruitment/training process, drugs and rituals are often
involved. (Ali, 2014). The thugs are often offered/given financial and material gratifications with protection
which includes protection from punishment by the law. These gratifications can be life-time promises which are
sometimes extended to thugs‟ family members. On the basis of these gratification which the thugs have weighed
above the risk of being caught and punished by the law (a risk that is reduced by godfatherism), they then
engage in thuggery. The political elites play the role of political godfathers who control power, wealth and
influence, most of whom are state elites.

IV. Conclusion And Recommendations

Since the 1960s in Nigeria, thuggery has been a part of the Nigeria political process especially during
elections. This is because of the selfishness, greed for money and power, and avarice of the political elites who
have constituted themselves into godfathers. As a result, there is usually a breakdown of law and other and less
of loss of lives during and after elections. Also, elections especially governorship elections have been seen not
to be free and fair even when declared so. As the criminal activities of the politicians - majorly through the use

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 Political Thuggery And The Crisis Of Confidence Among Youths In Nigeria

of things have continued to yield success for them (i.e. they win elections, offices, financial aggrandizement,
power and influence), many Nigerians have come to believe that it is only criminal politics that can give them
access to economic power and political positions/offices. On the other hand, the thugs majority of whom are
youths grab the opportunity through they being used by the godfathers and irrespective of the risks and changes
involved because of unbreakable situation of unemployment, poverty and hardship. The Nigerian Bureau of
Statistic, recently revealed that unemployment moved from 1.9 million to 9.9% in the third quarter of this year
2015.
The Nigerian youths have lost confidence in the state and are turning to violence and thuggery as
means of livelihood or career. They no longer have sufficient trust in the state so and so cannot leave their
future in its hands. As a result, political thuggery which ought to be an illegitimate success opportunity structure
is seen and increasing accessed as a legitimate means/structure. The desperate political fathers who initiated this
phenomena in their insatiable selfishness, greed and avarice for political positions/offices, power and wealth,
continue to encourage and sustain the illegitimate culture of thuggery as an institutional goal to success. To
further buttress the conclusion of this paper, Onomuakpokpo (2015) observes.
“President Buhari loaded the first list with discredited old politicians and the second list included those
who have been in politics and had recorded great successes in their different careers not like the desperate
politicians of the first list but failed to allay the worry that the first list generated….the president does not have
so much respect for the youths”. (Onomuakpor, 2015 p21)
This paper recommends a more urgent, desperate and aggressive attack on youth unemployment that
will go beyond youth empowerment and skill acquisition. The government and private sectors should
concentrate on job creation using quarterly targets and not yearly targets as has been the case. Also, jobs created
should not be spread evenly to every segment of society. But they should find a way of giving the poor more
access: Socio-economic background should be considered. In addition, anti-social and criminal godfatherism
should be legally sanctioned irrespective of who is involved. Finally, godfatherism employment processes
should be monitored and sanctioned when discovered.

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