In a formal statement, Salis expressed deep concern over the growing reluctance of many Nigerians to participate in elections, attributing the trend largely to the intimidating presence of political thugs at polling centres. According to him, the pervasive atmosphere of fear created by these groups has continued to weaken public confidence in the democratic process.
Salis urged political actors to adopt safer and more responsible security measures during elections. He recommended that candidates and parties make use of licensed private security firms or request official police protection, rather than relying on unregulated individuals whose actions often endanger citizens. He noted that in many advanced democracies, the use of violent enforcers is virtually nonexistent, a practice that has helped foster political stability and public trust in the electoral system.
Calling for collective action, Salis appealed to civil society organisations, advocacy groups and concerned citizens to champion reforms that would criminalise the use of thugs in politics. He emphasised that such a law is urgently needed if Nigeria is to build a safer, more credible electoral environment.
“This persistent menace of thuggery and hooliganism keeps countless eligible voters away from the polls,” he lamented. “Many Nigerians stay home simply because they fear for their lives.”
He went on to describe how certain politicians deliberately assemble gangs that function as private militias. These groups, he said, are often armed with guns and other weapons, and in many cases are fueled with drugs that heighten their aggression. The aim, he explained, is to make them more daring, violent and willing to intimidate opponents or disrupt the electoral process.
Salis warned that after elections are over, these young men having been used and discarded frequently drift into crime because they were never offered meaningful opportunities or long-term support. Once abandoned, he said, they turn the weapons and skills they acquired into tools for robbery, kidnapping, banditry and other forms of violence that destabilise communities.
He further cautioned that the consequences of such political manipulation are not only social but also spiritual. According to him, leaders who sponsor violence ultimately invite long-term repercussions upon themselves and their families. “A society governed by unjust leaders cannot experience peace,” he stated. “If a politician uses thugs or bandits to harass, injure or kill innocent people, the effects of those actions will eventually circle back whether in their own lifetime or through the burden placed on future generations.”
Salis concluded by urging Nigeria’s political class to prioritise justice, accountability and the safety of citizens, insisting that the country cannot move forward until the cycle of political violence is finally broken.
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