Oshiomhole Tells Politicians To Stop Arming Youths, Says It Fuels Post-Election Violence
Senator Adams Oshiomhole has warned Nigerian politicians to stop arming unemployed youths during elections, saying the practice is one of the main causes of post-election violence and rising insecurity. Speaking during a recent plenary session of the Senate, Oshiomhole said the problem of electoral violence could be largely solved if politicians reformed their attitudes and embraced integrity. “As elected persons, we as senators shall not, directly or indirectly, secretly or openly, aid and abet unemployed or semi-employed people and arm them to disrupt elections. If we reform our character, this problem is 90% solved,” he stated. He recalled how his “one man, one vote; one woman, one vote” campaign in Edo State helped reduce election-related killings and restored confidence in the democratic process. “It is now possible to hold an election without counting dead bodies,” Oshiomhole said. “The real beauty of democracy is not in holding a powerful office but in knowing that people freely chose you to represent them and manage their collective trust for the common good.” He condemned politicians who win through manipulation or rigging, insisting that such individuals can never truly be at peace with themselves. Oshiomhole also drew a connection between post-election violence and criminality, explaining that many of the weapons distributed to thugs during campaigns are never retrieved afterward. “After every election, there’s always an increase in violent crimes because those politicians who armed hungry youths abandon them, and the weapons end up being used for robbery and other crimes,” he said. He urged political leaders to lead by example through honesty, accountability, and respect for the people’s will, saying character reform is the foundation of peaceful and credible elections.
