ALMAJIRCI (TRADITIONAL ISLAMIC SCHOLARSHIP)AND POLITICAL THUGGERY IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF BAUCHI STATE, 2007-2015

ALMAJIRCI (TRADITIONAL ISLAMIC SCHOLARSHIP)AND POLITICAL THUGGERY IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF BAUCHI STATE, 2007-2015

Abstract:

Political thuggery is one of the banes of developing democracies world-wide, especially in Africa. Politicians form and arm youth gangs to facilitate conflicts before, during, and after elections. In Bauchi State, a youth gang known as Sarasuka (the cut and stab gang) is the major instrument of political thuggery. Almajirai (pupils of traditional Qur‟anic schooling system), because of the deterioration of the schooling system over the years, were alleged to be the gang‟s major source of recruitment. Through the lens of relative deprivation theory, this exploratory study examined the involvement or otherwise of almajirai in political thuggery in the State between 2007 and 2015. Using a qualitative research approach, the study utilized an in-depth interview and a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with stakeholders. The views of both the almajirai and the political thugs were obtained through twelve (12) FGDs across six most representative Local Government Areas in the State. Whereas, thirtyfive (35) in-depth interviews with other stakeholders were conducted. The data generated were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Findings revealed that without any significant variation in the perception of stakeholders, there was a very weak level of involvement of almajirai in political thuggery in Bauchi State (2007-2015). Reform of the Nigeria educational sector, both the conventional and the traditional Almajiri systems; committed poverty alleviation, enforcement of law and order, were among the recommendations offered.

ALMAJIRCI (TRADITIONAL ISLAMIC SCHOLARSHIP)AND POLITICAL THUGGERY IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF BAUCHI STATE, 2007-2015