Impact of political thuggery on the credibility of the 2019 general elections in Nigeria

Political thuggery is one of the fundamental issues that affected the credibility of the 2019 general elections in Nigeria. The conduct of the entire electoral process was flawed by widespread violence arising from the activities of political thugs who violently attacked voting centres and disrupted electoral processes, as witnessed during rallies, campaigns, voting, the collation of results, and the declaration of winners across the country, resulting in more than 626 deaths. The elections were marred by the intimidation, abduction, and killing of voters, candidates, election staff, security officials, observers, and journalists. It was also characterised by violent destruction and theft of electoral materials and equipment, which included ballot papers, ballot boxes, result sheets, vehicles, offices, generator sets, phones and smart card readers at various places across the country. The study examined factors that influenced political thuggery during the 2019 general elections, its impact on electoral credibility, and its role in post-election insecurity. The research used a qualitative method in which data obtained were reviewed, analysed and presented using content analysis and thematic techniques, supported by charts and tables. Frustration Aggression and Broken Window theories were used as tools of explanation. The findings show that political thuggery had a negative impact on the credibility of the 2019 general elections in Nigeria, creating a volatile political environment characterised by civic unrest, excessive cancellation and postponement of elections leading to high cost of electoral expenditure, low voter turnout and participation rates. Rigging and outright rejection of election results, excessive tribunals, corruption, disenfranchisement and poor political culture are as a result of political thuggery. Consequently, the research recommends a further review of the 2010 Electoral Act, prosecuting all perpetrators of political thuggery, improving electronic-based electoral processes, ensuring the neutrality of the authorities in the conduct of elections, reorienting citizens towards good political behaviour and culture, youth empowerment, and the formation of community-based election observers and security committees across all wards in the country.