As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, discussions around democratic integrity are becoming more paramount. Among the most troubling issues is the continued relationship; real or perceived; between some politicians and political muggers, in other words, political thugs. This connection has, over the years, threatened the credibility of elections and weakened public trust in governance.
Political thuggery in Nigeria is not a new phenomenon. It has roots in earlier periods of intense political rivalry, including the instability that followed the First Republic. Since then, elections in certain regions have occasionally been marked by violence, voter intimidation, ballot disruption and clashes between rival groups. While progress has been made in strengthening democratic institutions, the problem has not been completely eliminated.
At the center of the issue is the role of politicians. Elections are highly competitive and, in some cases, desperation to win has led to the recruitment of young people as political enforcers. These individuals; often unemployed or marginalised; are used to influence outcomes through fear rather than persuasion. Voter turnout often declines because people fear for their safety. This weakens the democratic process by silencing voices that should be heard. Elections should reflect the will of the people not the influence of intimidation or coercion.
Looking ahead to 2027, there is a growing call for peace. Civil society organisations, youth groups, and community leaders are increasingly advocating peaceful participation and accountability. Public awareness campaigns can help educate young people about the risks of being used as political tools, while encouraging them to engage constructively in politics. It is important to state that, politicians themselves must lead by example. Campaigns should focus on policies, ideas and solutions to national challenges rather than tactics that create division or fear. Voters, on the other hand, have a role to play by rejecting candidates who promote or tolerate violence.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has introduced reforms aimed at improving transparency, voter accreditation technologies, and tighter monitoring. But even the most sophisticated systems cannot fix problems rooted in human behaviour and political culture. Political parties must therefore take responsibility for the conduct of their members, rejecting violence and manipulation as tools of competition rather than persuasion. Security agencies, too, remain central to the credibility of elections: their presence can deter wrongdoing, yet their true value lies in professionalism, neutrality and swift, fair response. When citizens begin to question their impartiality, trust in the entire process begins to weaken. This is why the burden of protecting democracy cannot be placed on institutions alone; it belongs to everyone – political actors, civil society, the media and, above all, the electorate – because safeguarding elections is less about confrontation and more about consciously building a system people can believe in.
There are clear and practical steps that can make this vision real. Electoral institutions must be strengthened to operate with independence and the careful use of technology that genuinely reduces manipulation. Political parties need to look inward, ensuring that candidates emerge through credible, transparent processes, reducing the desperation that often distorts elections. At the same time, citizens must be equipped with knowledge of electoral process. An informed electorate is far less vulnerable to deception and understands that a vote is not a commodity to be exchanged, but a voice to be protected. The media has a parallel duty to elevate truth over noise, especially in an age in which misinformation spreads easily. Above all, leadership must set the tone, because when those at the top demonstrate fairness and integrity, it quietly affirms a powerful idea: that the rules matter, and that democracy, when properly guarded, can truly reflect the will of the people.
Communities also have a powerful, often underestimated, role in shaping the character of elections, because silence in the face of electoral violence is, in itself, a subtle form of endorsement; this places a moral responsibility on religious leaders, traditional rulers, youth groups, and civil society organisations to consistently advocate peace and remind citizens that no political ambition is worth the loss of lives or the destruction of communities. At the same time, at the heart of this challenge lies the vulnerability of many young people who are easily recruited as instruments of disruption, a reality that calls for more than mere condemnation but deliberate investment in education and employment opportunities, since a society that genuinely empowers its youth significantly reduces the appeal of being used as agents of instability.
The relationship between politicians and political muggers remains a significant challenge to Nigeria’s democracy. However, it is not an unsolvable one. With collective effort from leaders, institutions and citizens alike, Nigeria can move towards a more peaceful and credible electoral process in 2027. The future of the nation depends not just on who wins elections, but on how those elections are conducted. Citizens’ peaceful participation in election is not only a right but also a responsibility that strengthens the nation’s democracy.