Political thuggery assumed noteriety in Nigeria’s political space, essentially to aid electoral fraud and give a larger than life posture to political neophytes, who could not on their own make any impact.
Many politicians made use of political thugs, comprising mostly if jobless young men with intimidating physiques and high capacity for mischief. At some points, the fear of political thugs was the begining of wisdom for any politician trying to make inroads into the political arena.
This has been the case in Borno, when it became a vogue amongst politicians to use thugs to win elections or to even scores with political opponents.
They were virtually everywhere: at political gatherings, government functions, offices and on every street; intimidating political appointees and functionaries and openly demanding money as bailouts from public embarrassment. They became emboldened between 2002 and 2003, when a group of young men recruited and christened ECOMOG.
Their presence at any public functions or in any office alone was enough to instil fear in the hearts of people and any attempt to snub them or checkmate them, even by security operatives often resulted in unpleasant encounters.
The Government House, the seat of power became their hibernation point and even Governor’s have had their moments of displeasure with the group.
Governor Babagana Zulum’s declaration of zero tolerance for activities of this political thugs, popularly known as “Ecomog” in Maiduguri and environs, came as a big relief to most political offices holders.
The Governor’s posture which was made on Monday in Maiduguri during a meeting with some representatives of the thugs has the tendency to ease tensions and liberalize the political space.
Besides that, it will erase the impressions that subsequent administrations had sanctioned their operations. The Governor said, he will not continue to tolerate the nuisance the thugs have continued to constitute in gatherings, including funeral, marriage and naming ceremonies.
Hear him, “Some of you are always in Airport to disturb people while some even travel to Abuja to constitute nuisance,” Government has introduced you to many empowerment programmes, but you failed to utilize the opportunities to be self reliant.
“You keep disturbing people for money on daily basis, who said it is a must to give you money?”
“In fact, any politician from Commissioner, State Assembly member, National Assembly member that continue to associate with you will loose my support,”
With these, Governor Zulum has not only outlawed ECOMOG or any thuggery group, but has restated Governments stance on idleness, to the effect that people should seek gainful engagements.
The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Kaka Shehu, who re- echoed Governor Zulum’s position seems to also suggest that the thugs had been involved in crime. He said, Government has noticed rise in cases of theft and house breaking, and was committed to deal with anyone or group whose activities contribute to insecurity in Maiduguri and environs.
This was equally the views of the Borno Commissioner of Police, Mr Abdu Umar, and the State Director DSS, Mr Manir Mamman, who also addressed the meeting and warned the thugs, advising them to look for alternative jobs or risk arrest and prosecution.
This might have been the most pleasant news to people as we approach another era of political activities in the next few months. It might have been a hard pill to swallow for those who have sustained their political machineries on the use of thugs, but it remains the best option if we hope to operate like civilized people.
Just musing?
