Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, has accused some politicians of encouraging citizens and thugs to engage in electoral violence under the guise of protecting their votes while ensuring their own children are safely abroad.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement published on his verified X account on Tuesday, Keyamo described the politicians as “unscrupulous”, alleging that they were urging vulnerable citizens to take up weapons and attack others during elections.
The minister warned that security agencies would be justified in taking action against anyone who resorts to violence or uses dangerous weapons under the pretext of protecting electoral votes.
Keyamo also recalled a controversial warning issued by former President Muhammadu Buhari ahead of the 2019 general election, which threatened ballot box snatchers with deadly consequences.
“After safely ferrying their children abroad, some unscrupulous politicians are encouraging hapless citizens and thugs to take up weapons to kill one another under the pretext of ‘protecting their votes’. That’s fine,” Keyamo said.
He reaffirmed his support for Buhari’s position, arguing that individuals who resort to violence during elections should expect security agencies to intervene.
“Let me reiterate what late President Buhari said pre-2019 election (which I supported and I still support): when you resort to self-help and you take up dangerous weapons in the guise of ‘protecting your votes’ and you attack anybody, it is lawful and legitimate for law enforcement agents to ‘neutralise’ you or simple ‘put you down’ in the course of their duty.
“And the children of the politicians will be watching your foolishness from their safe haven somewhere in the world,” he added.
During an emergency meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on February 18, 2019, Buhari warned that anyone attempting to snatch ballot boxes during the presidential election would do so “at the expense of his own life”.
The former president also said he had directed the military and police to be ruthless in dealing with ballot box snatchers.
His remarks generated widespread controversy, particularly over the nature of force security agencies were authorised to use against electoral offenders.
Keyamo’s latest comments come amid renewed concerns over electoral violence and the conduct of political actors as preparations for future elections continue.
