The Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, has cautioned Nigerian youths against engaging in political thuggery ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that politicians often protect their own children while recruiting others to carry out violent acts.
Speaking on Tuesday at the opening of the 15th Anglican Chancellors, Registrars and Legal Officers Conference (ACRLOC) in Abuja, Ndukuba urged young people to reject offers to serve as political thugs, stressing that such politicians would never expose their own children to the same risks.
According to him, “Never serve as a thug for any politician because what they will not send their own children to do, they are sending our young people to do. They give them money for drugs. We want our young people to shun every thuggery and every act of violence.”
The Anglican leader also encouraged Christians to become actively involved in politics by registering with political parties and participating in the selection of candidates, saying credible elections begin with internal democracy within political parties.
He condemned godfatherism, vote-buying and the imposition of candidates, stressing that elections should be driven by ideas and policies rather than violence.
Ndukuba further called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and Nigerians to work together to protect the integrity of the electoral process, adding that state policing could help improve election security.
