“Stop Using Unemployed Youths to Disrupt Elections”- Oshiomhole Warns Politicians

• Senator Adams Oshiomhole has cautioned politicians against using unemployed youths to disrupt elections, warning that the practice fuels post-election violence and insecurity.
• He said the rise in violent crimes after elections is linked to weapons distributed by politicians that are never recovered.
• Oshiomhole urged sincerity among political leaders, stressing the need for credible, transparent elections where citizens can freely choose their leaders.
• He also advised against holding all major elections on the same day and called for vigilance against cyber threats as Nigeria embraces electronic voting systems.

Edo North Senator Adams Oshiomhole has issued a strong warning to politicians, urging them to stop recruiting unemployed youths to disrupt elections, saying the practice fuels insecurity and undermines democracy.

Speaking during Wednesday’s plenary, the former Edo State governor condemned the use of violence during elections, blaming political actors for arming and exploiting vulnerable youths for selfish gains.

“After every election, violent crimes rise because politicians who armed hungry youths can’t retrieve the weapons. Those arms are then used for robbery and other crimes,” Oshiomhole said.

He recalled warning fellow governors years ago that AK-47 rifles were not easily affordable, implying that only powerful figures could finance electoral violence.

Calling for sincerity among politicians, Oshiomhole urged leaders to allow Nigerians to make their electoral choices freely.

“If we truly commit to eliminating violence, we will have free, fair, and transparent elections,” he said.

He further emphasized that the true essence of democracy lies in integrity and public trust, not in power gained through manipulation.

“If you rig or manipulate elections, deep in your heart, you know you’re not a happy person,” the senator added.

Oshiomhole also advised against conducting presidential, governorship, and National Assembly elections on the same day, suggesting it complicates logistics and raises tensions. He urged vigilance against hackers as Nigeria adopts more technology-driven election processes.

Concluding his remarks, Oshiomhole made a passionate appeal to fellow politicians:

“We, as senators and elected officials, must resolve never to arm or use unemployed youths to disrupt elections. Once we stop that, 90 percent of our electoral problems will be solved.”