THE IMPACTS OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE ON NIGERIA (FACULTY-CONFRENCE PAPER)

In the violent and shameless turnout, millions of Nigerians have been denied their right to choose their political leaders. The struggle for democratic offices by politicians is often violently manipulated on the street by a gang of thugs, recruited by same politicians, trained and to help them capture power. Political violence has been a bone of contention from the inception of Nigeria as a Nation-State. The impact of political violence cannot be over emphasized as its effects have grossly affected National Development. This research tries to proffer solutions to the factors that give rise to political violence in Nigeria, to determine the impacts of violence on the political, social and economic development in Nigeria, to attempt strategic and recommendable actions to remedy the problem of political violence in Nigeria. One of the recommendations is thus: Political parties should evolve as mechanism of democratic governance rather than servicing as an organized criminal enterprise used for seeking, gaining and retaining power in order to rob public treasury.

The culture of impunity that encourages political violence should be discouraged by scrupulous enforcement of laws prohibiting political violence and illegal arms trade, possession and use.

The Federal Government should also create more employment opportunities for the youths as well as alleviating poverty and illiteracy both the rural and urban areas.

Key words: Politics, Violence, Development, Security