By; AUWAL AHMED IBRAHIM GORONYO
As 2023 general elections are coming nearer, the Nigerian polity is becoming volatile, chaotic and unsecured as we witness in most political activity.
There are politicians that take politics as do-or-die affair and they can do anything to clinch power. As usual, politicians move with thugs to protect them while devil minded miscreants attach themselves to campaign venues to steal and cause mayhem. People that are not politicians should stay clear off campaign spots.
I am a living witness of many political assaults. I once saw thugs pursuing opposition members with all sorts of weapons in broad daylight and before the eyes of everyone. Many people have been killed in campaign rallies and much were wounded.
Parents should keep telling into the ears of their children to stay away from groups of campaigners for their safety. Most importantly, don’t try passing through campaign areas.
Motorists and pedestrians that are not part of the activities should avoid those scenes, many thieves take political rallies as golden opportunities to steal from innocent people even before the eyes of security officers. Thieves snatch phones, bags, smash cars, confiscate vehicles and take anything valuable from people. Thugs consider themselves most important during campaign rallies because they are hired.
In any political campaign, different people come with different intentions and people that love peace and safety should avoid political campaign venues. Ideally, avoid momentous crowd for peace and safety.
I could remember what happened in 2015 presidential campaign in my area. Almost, five fine youth were stabbed to death and also in 2019, history repeated itself.
And, just before the campaign rallies begin, the monster is unmasked. On 30th of March, 2021 a group of miscreants in Kaduna State that sneaked into the decamping campaign rally of Rufa’i Ahmad Chanchangi were arrested for extortion and stealing, one of the thugs was shot. Also in March; this year, Sahabi Mahmud, a Niger law maker escaped being lynched by his constituents despite his security guards. In Kano State and other parts of Nigeria, the polity starts inviting the devil, and for peace and the safety of the masses, security operatives should redouble their efforts to maintain peace and order through the 2023 general electioneering activities.
Reckless celebrations and driving should also not be allowed again. We have seen how precious and vibrant youth accidentally kicked the bucket in 2015 and 2019. In those years, I wondered where Road Safety officers were to rescue those departed souls.
Hope, we will see good changes from all our political aspirants, the masses and our security operatives for a peaceful campaign and elections through 2023 leadership transition.
Auwal Ahmed Ibrahim is a lecturer with Mass Communication Department, Kaduna Polytechnic and can be reached on auwalgoronyo@gmail.com
