Political Thuggery

Electoral violence in Nigeria is perpetrated mostly by political thugs, most of whom are youths who allowed themselves to be used by greedy politicians.
In today's news analysis correspondent writes on the need for Nigerian youths to refrain from being used as political thugs to destabilize the nation's electoral process.
Since Nigeria's independence, the nation's electoral process has been characterized by violence,assassination,cancellation of election results and many other crimes.
Most of those used in perpetrating electoral violence in the country are youths who are full of energy and strength, as well as ample resources and smart thinking, which if utilized can bring about societal growth and advancement.
But why are some Nigerian youths not using their youthful potentials and resources to contribute meaningfully to nation building and why do they allow selfish politicians to manipulate them to cause havoc?.
In most of the political disturbances,it is the youths who usually suffer and sometimes die in the process, others are physically deformed, while their political masters run into hiding to foreign lands with their children and sometimes family members.
Political analysts have traced youths involvement in electoral violence to illiteracy, greed and poverty amongst other social indices.
Surprisingly most selfish politicians during their youthful ages held one political position or the other and they still hold on to power even at their old ages.
The practice of using Nigerian youths to forment trouble, kill political opponents, distort the electoral process, snatch ballot boxes amongst other is highly condemnable.
The popular saying that youths are the leaders of tomorrow is gradually losing relevance, due to the non preparedness of some youths in taking up leadership responsibilities.
The way forward is to eradicate political violence in Nigeria by training illiterate Nigerian youths to acquire knowledge and useful skills to enable them contribute meaningfully to the growth of the Nigerian society.
Nigerian youths who could not acquire education due to one reason or another, should strive to acquire skills that will make them self employed, employers of labor, productive and busy, thereby leaving no room for an idle mind that will be possessed by the devil.
Nigerian youths who are aides to politicians should be bold to tell their political masters to use their own children or family members to perpetrate political violence instead.
The youths of Nigeria, should see themselves as too important to be used as political thugs in the hands of politicians.
They should see themselves as change agents who have all it takes to drive the nation's economy on the path of sustainable growth and development.
Nigerian youths should view election period as a time to vote out politicians who have not delivered on their campaign promises to the people, rather than being used and dumped after elections.
With the signing into law of the not too young to run bill, Nigerian youths should aspire towards political elective positions and refrain from being used as political thugs.
The time for Nigerian youths to say no to political violence and thuggery is now.