ISSUE OF THUGGERY AND HOOLIGANISM IN NIGERIA POLITICS; AN ASSESSMENT OF IT'S IMPACT ON 2023 NIGERIA PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

It is still true that any community needs have some degree of relative calm in order to experience significant progress, whether it be social, political, economic, cultural, or socio-political. Similarly, every society's or country's development strategy or program has a better chance of succeeding if there is a calm environment free from hostility. A watershed moment in Nigerian political history occurred on May 29, 1999. It was the start of the Fourth Republic, a period of prolonged misery, violations of human rights, deteriorating infrastructure, and widespread, institutionalized corruption that preceded the country's restoration to democracy. This development—that is, Nigeria's return to democracy—rekindled, reawakened, and revived the common man's yearning for a decent and egalitarian society (Dahiru, 2011).

However, since democracy requires responsibility in order to promote social cohesion, unity, and development among the various social groupings—especially in a pluralist nation like Nigeria with over 250 ethnic groups—the majority of Nigerians were filled with hope and expectations with this development, or the restoration of Nigeria to a democratic government. This was in addition to the fact that it signaled the end of authoritarian military rule. Furthermore, according to Mohammed (2018b), this expectation is based on the idea that people and social groupings feel more comfortable in a democratic administration than they do in a non-democratic one. However, the road to this is not that easy, as it is characterized with lots of challenges and threats which could be internal or external. These challenges or threats could be political or religious. Often times, the crises may be born out of the clash of one political faction with another. Additionally, the extent to such given activity could pose a security risk, leading to the collapse of law and order and negatively impacting governance, is contingent upon its scope, complexity, and management approach.

In Nigerian politics, hooliganism and thuggery have their roots in a number of historical, social, and economic issues. Political violence has historically occurred throughout history and is frequently associated with conflicts for power, racial tensions, and the distribution of resources (Mahajan, 2019). Also, the absence of democratic norms and the frequent use of force that marked the legacy of military administration have had a long-lasting effect on the political climate, fostering the rise of political thugs. On the other hand, Nigeria's youth bulge combined with high unemployment and poverty rates have produced a group of disillusioned people who are easily enlisted into political thuggery (Elaigwu, 2017). These young people are frequently persuaded to commit violent crimes during elections and other political events by the promise of cash rewards, employment prospects, and social standing within a political party or group. In addition, the current socioeconomic problems serve as a haven for those who view political thuggery as a way to advance in life and survive.

Furthermore, political thuggery and hooliganism have far-reaching and complex repercussions. In addition to jeopardizing the voting process's credibility, these actions make people afraid and discourage them from actively carrying out their civic responsibilities. Moreover, foreign investment is also hindered by the notion of a hostile political climate, which ultimately causes economic difficulties. The breakdown of societal cohesiveness and trust between various ethnic and religious groups is another effect of the violence's recurrent cycles. However, in order to effectively address the problem of thuggery and hooliganism in Nigerian politics, a thorough understanding of its dynamics and underlying causes is necessary. Therefore, a survey will be conducted in order to assess the issue of thuggery and hooliganism in Nigeria politics.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The prevalent problem of thuggery has presented Nigeria with an increasingly alarming dilemma in its political landscape in recent years. The nation's democratic ideals are seriously threatened by the thuggery's penetration of the political system. In addition, thuggery and hooliganism in Nigerian politics is characterized by the frequent deployment of violence and intimidation tactics during election periods (Muhammed, 2019). Political thugs, who are often sponsored by various parties, instigate fear and chaos, creating an atmosphere of insecurity that undermines the principles of free and fair elections. Similarly, Akintola (2018), asserts that political thuggery frequently entails recruitment and exploitation of vulnerable and unemployed young people who view participation in such activities as a way to maintain their financial stability. Furthermore, the persistent issue of thuggery affects Nigeria's economic development in a significant way. Instability in politics and a lack of faith in the democratic system discourage foreign investment, impede economic expansion, and impede advancements in vital sectors like infrastructure, healthcare, and education. The issue is complex and takes many forms, which raises questions about the integrity of election procedures, the stability of the political landscape, and the general welfare of people as a whole. Thus, it is in the light of these that the study seeks to assess the issue of thuggery and hooliganism in Nigeria politics.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to assess the issue of thuggery and hooliganism in Nigeria politics. Specifically, the study will;

1. Determine the prevalence of thuggery and hooliganism in Nigeria politics

2. Ascertain the causes of thuggery and hooliganism in Nigeria politics.

3. Assess the impact of thuggery and hooliganism during 2023 presidential election in Nigeria

1.4 Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

1. What is the prevalence of thuggery and hooliganism in Nigeria politics?

2. What are the causes of thuggery and hooliganism in Nigeria politics?

3. What were the impact of thuggery and hooliganism during 2023 presidential election in Nigeria?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

Ho: There is no significant impact of thuggery and hooliganism on the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria.

Ha: Thuggery and hooliganism significantly impact the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study will expose and guide policy makers in making policies and strategic measures in other to combat political hooliganism in Nigeria. Further more, subsequent researchers will use it as a literature review. This means that other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regard to an assessment of the issue of thuggery and hooliganism in Nigeria politics.

1.7 Scope of the study

The scope of this study is boarded on an assessment of the issue of thuggery and hooliganism in Nigeria politics. Empirically, this study will determine the prevalence of thuggery and hooliganism in Nigeria politics, ascertain the causes of thuggery and hooliganism in Nigeria politics and assess the impact of thuggery and hooliganism during 2023 presidential election in Nigeria. Geographically, the study will be delimited to residents in BirninGwari, local government area, Kaduna state.

1.8 Limitation of the study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed.

More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population in the study area, hence they may not be suitable for use in comparison to other schools, local governments, states, and other countries in the world.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Politics: activities that relate to influencing the actions and policies of a government or getting and keeping power in a government.

Election: a formal and organized choice by vote of a person for a political office or other position.

Political Thuggery: any act of intimidation, violence, hooliganism, brutality or gangsterism, whether leading to death or not, calculated to pose a threat or scare political opponent or perceived political opponents before, during or after elections and aimed at achieving an undue political result or advantage(Shankyula, 2011)