Political Violence in North Central Nigeria: Reflections and the Way Forward

The problem of political violence in Nigeria has its root from colonial era and coupled with the military incursion into politics in 1966, it has continued unabated resulting in loss of precious lives and property. This paper attempts to X-ray political violence in North Central Nigeria using retrospective analysis and advances potent ways to ameliorate the menace in the Nigeria's body polity. The paper is explorative and theoretical in nature. Meanwhile, political intolerance, politics of ethnic and religious competition, unemployment and poverty, weak laws and poor adjudication are the fulcrums leading to political violence. The findings clearly revealed an alarming loss in lives and properties, with Plateau State being the highest victim in the zone. It also indicated that there would be no meaningful political and socio-economic progress in the country amidst political violence. Thus, it recommended the urgent review of our legislation to ensure a free and fair election and violators be properly and promptly punished by the judiciary in accordance with the law. Again, public offices must be made unattractive to reduce the ‘do or die' contest syndrome as well as total reorientation against ethnic and religious politics with a genuine fight against poverty and unemployment.