Political Vigilantes: Threat to Nigeria’s 2023 General Election?

Political vigilantism is a global phenomenon. Political vigilantes, sometimes called “footsoldiers,” refers to resorting to illegal means to achieve local political objectives. The practice originated in the United States in the late 1700s, but in recent years, many countries, including South Africa, Ghana, and Tanzania, have experienced incidents of political vigilantism. Nigeria is also not immune to this problem. Since the country returned to democratic rule in 1999, political vigilantism has pervaded Nigeria’s political landscape. Political actors, whether in government or the opposition, are known to form and use violent individuals or groups, referred to as vigilantes, who ‘take the law into their hands’ and perpetrate violence. The vigilantes are more than hired political thugs; they include non-state armed groups who operate at the local and state level.

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