THE MEANING OF RELIGIONAL AND POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA AND WAY OUT

INTRODUCTION

Violence in Nigeria in its various forms has involved over the decades, from use of traditional weapons, charms and hamlets, violence in Nigeria has taken sophisticated dimension.  Political, electoral, religious, ethic tribal, cultism and other forms of violence are dominant in Nigeria society, are peculiar and like extremist attacks in northern Nigeria, it has receiver global attention. In the south-east, Cultism ferocity and robbery attacks are common forms of violence. While in the south west, political violence and thuggery are intrinsic. However this doesn’t mean other form of violence (rape, abuse, intimidation). Tribal clash among other still exist across the regions of Nigeria.

Over and over, violence has threatened Nigeria’s peace, stability and unity-even as current administration is winning the war against terror in north east Nigeria.

Militants in Niger-Delta (south-south) have announced their resumption to violent attacks on crude oil facilities. Since February 2016, militants have continued to issue threats vowing to blow of more pipelines and damage more crude oil facilities in the region.

On 16^th of February 2016, the guardian news paper published that Niger delta militants held five foreigners ransom after hijacking a chemical tanker off the cost of  Nigeria. Similarly Fulani herdsmen have launched neither brutal attacks on rural farmers and dwellers in nor them central Nigeria. In an attack in Benue state in February 2016, 40 people were killed score serious is injured over 7000 persons displaced and properties worth million lost.

1.     Poor economy and unemployment

2.     Lack of equality and justice

3.     Religious ethic sentiments

4.     Political instability

5.     Inadequate voter education

6.     Corruption

7.     Lack of internal democracy in political parks

8.     Inadequate security

9.     Poverty

10.                        Lack of democratic culture

-         Poor economy and unemployment: - majority of the mass number of youth who are unemployment are a ready army in the hands of unscrupulous politicians. The desperation of the political class to grab or retain power by all means is consistent with the desk parathion of some of unemployed youths to survive at all cost.

-         Lack of equality and justice: a situation where politicians who have been indicated for electoral violence in the past are still working freely till this day tend to promote impunity among the politician class, who has developed the mindset that they can get away with violence acts during the electioneering period.

-         Inadequate voter education: the electoral umpire has a major task to carry out educating the voters on the dos and don’ts before during after elections. There must be consciouser effort to reach the voters physically to demonstrate and educate them on the need to carry out their franchise within the ambit of the law.

-         Corruption: corruption is a menace that has eaten deep in virtually all strata of the Nigeria society, indeed the electoral system is not free form this menace as monies constantly change hand during electioneering period to include, silence or influence the process as the case may be.

-         Poverty: the mass poverty in Nigeria is capable of turning a decent man into a best within a twinkle of an eye. The political classes in the country are aware of this fact and they use it to their advantage, knowing that setting people on their side is not a big deal. So far they can flash the cash. It is also the norm to influence voter’s decision with cash and gift in order to gain their support.

MAJOR SOLUTION OR WAY OUT

1.     Job creation and economic growth

2.     Judicial reform

3.     Education reform

-         Job creation and economic growth:  unemployment must be addressed, inflation must be address infrastructure must be put in place to create conductive environment for business to strive. Nigeria must keep her citizens gainfully engaged in various economically viable activities. If unemployment is reduced, when the economy grows and infrastructure is put in place for businesses to strive, violence is reduced and peace is restored.

-         Judicial reform: Nigeria judiciary is undeniably week, in many cases; it victimizes the poor and acquits the rich. Nigeria need to strong then the judiciary and makes it a strong institution which is not controlled by the rich. The growing inequality and justice in the country can be reduced by a strong and committed judiciary.

-         Educational reform: the Nigerian education system has descended from the sky of excellence violence among other social issues confronting Nigeria reflects in the crumbling education system. Education is portent to development it is the bedrock of progress and no nation can develops beyond the level of education.

REFFERNCE

Olawale Rotimi

B.A, M.A Kotin, Delf Ponis.

T: Q Rotimi Lawale.