Oshiomhole Warns Politicians Against Aiding Thugs, Links Post-Election Crimes to Weapon Proliferation

Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has cautioned elected officials against supporting or encouraging unemployed youths to engage in electoral violence, warning that such actions fuel post-election insecurity across the country.

Speaking on the need for political reform and responsible leadership, Oshiomhole emphasised that the integrity of democracy lies not in merely winning elections but in earning the genuine trust and mandate of the people.

“As elected persons, we Senators shall not directly or indirectly, secretly or openly aid or abet unemployed or semi-employed people to disrupt elections,” Oshiomhole said. “If we reform our character, this problem is 90% solved.”

Reflecting on his time as Edo State Governor, Oshiomhole recalled his administration’s efforts to promote credible elections through the ‘One Man, One Vote, One Woman, One Vote’ initiative, which, he said, helped end the era of violent polls.

“In Edo State, I launched One Man, One Vote, One Woman, One Vote, and as of today, it is still possible to conduct elections without counting dead bodies,” he said. “It wasn’t so before, but we convinced everyone that there’s no merit in conducting elections as if it’s a war.”

Oshiomhole lamented that many politicians arm youths during campaigns and abandon them afterwards, leaving dangerous weapons in circulation.

“After every election, violent crimes increase because the politicians who have procured weapons for hungry children and paid them little fees are unable to retrieve the weapons,” he noted. “You can see the strong correlation between election violence and the rise in robbery and criminality immediately after the polls.”

The senator urged his colleagues and all political actors to uphold democratic values, stressing that true fulfilment in leadership comes from being genuinely chosen by the people, not through manipulation or rigging.

“The beauty of democracy is not in occupying an elected office,” he added, “but in the feeling that people truly found you worthy to be their voice and to deliver the greatest good to the needy. If you achieve this through rigging, deep in your heart, you won’t be a happy person.”

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