Daily Trust Sunday

Insecurity ahead of 2023 elections

- Abbas Datti writes from Kano

With the present ravaging insecurity, whereby terrorists gruesomely murdered almost seventy vigilantes in Kebbi State, it’s uninterest­ing to sadly note that the long-standing menacing threats of political thuggery are still rearing their ugly head in some states of the Northern part of this country as we daily approached the 2023 elections.

Political thuggery produced incredible candidates through robbing the political surroundin­g with good, competent reliable persons. Based on the recent incidences, with particular reference to the killings that happened in some rural and urban areas of Kano State, some activities of notable politician­s may turn us back to the brutal gory days of political thuggery.

The recorded deaths in Kano must serve as a clear signal to us that if care is not taken, in their bid to maintain their seats or anoint their successors, politician­s are ready to engage in do-or-die politics. This misfortune that we bequeathed to the future generation­s may spell doom to the general coexistenc­e.

Despite the easy and quick accessibil­ity of both traditiona­l and modern mass media, one wonders, why do we continue to reap the seed of bitter hatred in politics. Politician­s should better sheath their swords. Thus, giving the room for peaceful, civilized electionee­ring campaigns which is free of rancor and enmity. One argues, why can’t it be impossible to play violence-free politics? Political violence is a primitive behaviour that must be stopped by any means. Similarly, whoever is found wanting with mischievou­s criminal tendencies should immediatel­y be made to remain behind bars. For us to rid ourselves from the slayer scourge of political savagery, we better desist from shielding criminals under whatever disguise.

Therefore, it’s sorrowful to note that jeopardizi­ng modern-day 21s- century politics with such toxic elements with no scruples to attack, would endanger the political atmosphere. As long as the people’s interest matters, as erroneousl­y the fallacious pretext for politician­s, whatever course will be achieved without resorting to thuggish, abominable violent behavior. That’s why oftentimes, doubts invade perceptive discernibl­e minds when some politician­s presented themselves as custodians of public security.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Nigeria