Stop Recruiting Youths for Election Violence

The recruitment of young people as instruments of political violence in Nigeria has been sharply condemned by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Henry Ndukuba. He criticized politicians for arming and paying youths to disrupt elections and intimidate opponents, while their own children remain safely educated abroad.

Ndukuba stated, "None of these politicians sends their own children to carry out violence. Their children are in London, Europe and America. What they will not send their own children to do, they are sending our young people to do." This stark contrast underscores the exploitation of vulnerable youth, who often face dire consequences like death, injury, imprisonment, or abandonment after serving as political pawns.

Nigeria has a long and tragic history of electoral violence, dating back to the 1960s. Significant bloodshed occurred in the 1964/65 elections, with over 200 reported deaths. Subsequent elections in 1983, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023 have also been marred by violence, claiming hundreds of lives. The 2007 general elections saw over 300 deaths, and the 2011 elections resulted in more than 800 fatalities following riots in northern states.

Even in the lead-up to the 2027 elections, political violence persists. The article notes over 200 violent events involving party members and supporters in the 12 months preceding the 2023 election. Recent incidents have been reported in various states, including Edo, Ekiti, Kaduna, Kebbi, Lagos, Osun, and Rivers. Ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election, pre-election violence between supporters of the Accord Party and the All Progressives Congress has already been reported, with initial reports indicating thirty deaths during this period.

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None of these politicians sends their own children to carry out violence. Their children are in London, Europe and America. What they will not send their own children to do, they are sending our young people to do.