2027: No politician sponsoring youth thuggery, violence should escape consequences — Bakoji
Security Analyst Calls for Stricter Penalties for Politicians Funding Violence Ahead of 2027 Elections
KANO, Nigeria — Ambassador Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu, a security affairs analyst, has urged the implementation of strict penalties for politicians who support or fund political violence in the lead-up to the 2027 elections. He emphasized that such actions threaten both democracy and national stability.
In an exclusive interview with DAILY POST on Friday, Bakoji highlighted the rise of political thuggery in Kano State and other regions of Northern Nigeria as a pressing security issue that extends beyond mere youth unrest.
“Political thuggery poses a serious threat to democratic stability and peaceful coexistence,” he stated.
He asserted that politicians who financially back or condone violent activities during elections should be held fully accountable, regardless of their status. “This accountability must extend to governors, senators, lawmakers, and all candidates seeking elective positions,” he added.
Bakoji cautioned that exploiting youth for political violence endangers the future of democracy and risks innocent lives. “No political office is worth the blood or suffering of innocent citizens,” he said.
To combat the issue, he proposed the adoption of intelligence-led policing, advocating for security agencies to proactively identify and dismantle criminal networks before violence arises. Bakoji suggested enhanced cooperation among security forces through joint operations, including coordinated patrols and targeted raids in high-risk areas.
He called for government investment in modern surveillance technologies, such as closed-circuit television (CCTV) in public spaces and the use of drones for monitoring, to address the ongoing violence effectively.
Bakoji also emphasized the necessity for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and law enforcement agencies to develop a robust electoral security framework to ensure peaceful conduct before, during, and after elections. He noted that community engagement is critical, highlighting the roles that traditional leaders, religious figures, and youth groups must play in peacebuilding initiatives.
On the subject of unemployment, he pointed out that many young adults involved in thuggery are often victims of joblessness and manipulation. “We must prioritize youth empowerment through vocational training, education, and rehabilitation programs to reduce their susceptibility to recruitment for violence,” he stated.
Bakoji proposed the establishment of special fast-track courts to expedite the prosecution of electoral offenders, asserting that “swift justice will serve as a strong deterrent to others.”
He concluded by advising politicians to rethink their strategies as the 2027 elections approach. Elections, he argued, should focus on ideas, leadership, and development rather than intimidation and violence. “Any political system that relies on violence poses a threat to democracy and national unity,” he warned.
