Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, has made a passionate plea to politicians and lawmakers across Nigeria, urging them to stop arming jobless youths and using them to disrupt elections, warning that such practices are steadily eroding Nigeria’s democratic foundations and fueling widespread insecurity throughout the country.
During a plenary session held on Wednesday, the former governor of Edo State highlighted the dangers of political violence, stressing that democracy cannot thrive when elections are marred by intimidation, thuggery, and the use of weapons by untrained and unemployed youths who are manipulated by political elites for their personal gain.
“After every election, crimes increase because those who armed hungry youths for politics can’t retrieve the weapons. These firearms end up being used for robbery, assault, and other criminal activities that further destabilize our communities,” Oshiomhole explained, emphasizing the long-term consequences of such acts on public safety and national security.
He further revealed that during his tenure as governor, he had warned fellow governors that only wealthy political figures could afford to buy AK-47 rifles and other military-grade weapons, underlining that election violence is often orchestrated and funded from the top levels of political power, rather than being spontaneous or local incidents.
Oshiomhole called on politicians to demonstrate sincerity and allow Nigerian citizens to exercise their democratic rights freely, through credible and peaceful elections devoid of intimidation, coercion, and violence. He stressed that when political aspirants refrain from arming youths or sponsoring electoral thuggery, the integrity of the electoral process can be preserved.
“If we truly stop violence, elections in Nigeria will be free, fair, and transparent. Citizens will be able to vote without fear, and the results will genuinely reflect the will of the people,” he said, adding that electoral credibility is a cornerstone for strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and restoring public trust in government institutions.
He also advised against conducting presidential, governorship, and National Assembly elections on the same day, highlighting the logistical and security challenges of holding multiple elections simultaneously. Additionally, he emphasized the need to tighten cybersecurity measures as the voting process increasingly incorporates technology, warning that online vulnerabilities could compromise election results if left unchecked.
“Once we stop arming youths for elections, 90% of our electoral problems will disappear. The remaining issues can then be addressed through reforms, improved transparency, and adherence to the rule of law,” Oshiomhole concluded, urging lawmakers and electoral stakeholders to take decisive steps toward ending political violence in Nigeria.
His remarks have already generated widespread discussion online, with many Nigerians echoing his call for electoral reform and holding political elites accountable. Citizens across social media have praised the former governor for his forthright stance, noting that sustainable democracy requires those in power to lead by example and reject all forms of manipulation and intimidation during elections.
Watch video below…
“Let us stop r!gging Election & arm!ng thugs”👀👀
-Senator Adams Oshiomole tells his colleagues and other police pic.twitter.com/rLEgYzcg15
— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) October 23, 2025