Thread by @doyinokupe

GETTING OVER THE DEBACLE OF VIOLENCE IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS.

It is sad and quite embarrassing that in spite of 60years of self rule, we still have to contend with the barbaric orgy of violence in virtually all elections.

#Thread

This beastly behaviour is a distinguishing charasteristic of our political elites dating as far back as the pre-independence era.

In the sixties, the popular but nefarious events of "weti e" in the southwest, readily comes to mind.
Even in those days the siamese twins of election rigging and violence were the classic and very distinct features of our elections practically nationwide.

Pathethically, all our social advancement and later day civilisation did not change anything.

A politicians strength is not just his popularity with the voters but also his assemblage of violent men, known as thugs, was also major "virtue" that conferred supremacy and ensured victory at the polls.

Politicians invested heavily in arms and ammunitions which were put generously at the disposal of these notorious and violent young men. People have been killed and maimed with accompanying arson and wanton and reckless destruction of properties.

The level of impunity is dumb folding. The thugs operated without fears being fully assured that the big wigs will come to their rescue, and certainly always they did.

But for how long shall we continue in these orgies?

All major political parties, and players, with very few exception are entrenched in this evil and shameful enterprise.

Personally I can say without any fears of equivocation that I have never engaged the services of thugs in all my 40 years of involvement in Nigerian politics.

I have never visited any police station anywhere in Nigeria to bail or plead or pay for release of thugs in all my political life. Any doubting Thomas can visit my constituency and check with even my opponents over the years.

This is why I believe we dont need this evil that brings us down as a people. We can stop it and we should.

We can amend the electoral act further.

Anyone at a political rally, or elsewhere who carries offensive weapons, including cudjels, hammers, cutlasses, machetes, swords, charms, guns, etc should be arrested & tried.
A video evidence should suffice to secure a conviction of no less than 7 years with no option of fine.

Any persons involved in violence anywhere on election day, or involved in activities such as may cause disorder or disruptions of the electoral process, should be arrested and tried and also sentenced to minimum of 7yrs imprisonment.

Any politician implicated in thuggery, violence of any kind, or sponsorship of such activities should be tried, & if guilty should face jail terms &/or ban from political activities for varying periods depending on the extent of involvement & the weight of evidence available.

In this situation, constitutional immunity must be waived so as to ensure no one can escape justice especially if such violent disruptions involved loss of life.

Political parties to which perpetrators of violence belong should also be fined from N50m and up to N300m and should also be banned from local elections for 4 to 8years.

Cynics may say "what's the point?", since the laws will never be applied.
It does not matter. It will still deter those not too criminally minded. Besides Nigeria will not always be like it is now.

Someday, in not too distant a future, the supremacy of the rule of law, equity and justice will be established in our country in Jesus Name.

Amen.

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