Democracy is said to be a political system of government in which supreme power and civic responsibility are exercised by all adult citizens, directly or through their elected representatives.
Election, however, is the most vital tool by which the electorate can freely decide the leader they want at any category of government. In a democratic dispensation, the electorate must be given equal voting rights and easily accessible voting platform to cast their votes, accompanied by enabling atmosphere that will give way to emotional and psychological stability.
Unfortunately, the greatest obstacle to democratic consolidation in Nigeria is electoral violence. For several time, some Nigerian politicians have demonstrated their bestial nature by turning a routine civic exercise to a power struggle among many contending political camps
Although electoral violence is not a modern day phenomenon in Nigeria, the trend is borne out of the rascal politics of the political elite. Sometimes, the violence is intra-party, and most of the time, it is inter-party. Vote buying and thuggery have also contributed in insinuating electoral violence.
It is unfortunate that the electorate and the society at large are victims of the end result, which is of adverse effect to the whole system. This cannot allow enthronement of free, fair and credible election, now or in future, if not checked.
Apart from the fact that this phenomenon affects the credibility of the electoral system, the democratic system and the rule of law; the nature, extent and magnitude of violence and rigging associated with elections in Nigeria have assumed alarming proportions.
To eradicate or, at least, minimize electoral violence from the Nigerian electoral system, education should be a major strategy and weapon to curb this democratic impediment. To this end, it is advised that Nigeria should embrace political education as well create an enabling environment that will engage the youths with jobs, provide adequate security, uphold the principles of equity, justice and fairness, if the nation must enthrone enduring and sustainable democratic order that would be a delight to behold.
Truth be told, if these twin evils of electoral violence and vote buying are not effectively tackled and checked, all future elections in Nigeria would be doomed. Elections marred by violence and characterized by vote-buying cannot be adjudged as free, fair and credible.
No doubt, no one has the monopoly of violence and violence does no good to anyone or the society at large. Let us therefore strive to pursue our political ambition within the ambits of the law and desist from invectives that could breed disaffection, breakdown of law and possible instability in the country. Let’s say no to electoral violence, vote buying, and thuggery.
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