Criminal Politics: Violence, “Godfathers” and Corruption in Nigeria

Kalare Violence and the 2007 Elections in Gombe
During the 2007 election campaign and on the election days, Kalare thugs played a
significant role committing violence and intimidation on behalf of all major political
parties. One international election observer told Human Rights Watch, “They are all
using Kalare…the other [opposition] parties need to protect themselves.” 332 However,
several credible reports, along with Human Rights Watch’s own observations,
indicate that the clear majority of Kalare thugs active during the electoral period were
working for the PDP. As even Abu Ma’azu, the PDP youth leader in Gombe state put it
to Human Rights Watch, “thank God we have more boys than the opposition.” 333
According to many activists and other sources, the PDP’s edge in terms of Kalare
recruitment was due largely to the fact that the ruling party had more resources to
spend on hiring them. 334
The electoral period in Gombe was exceptionally violent: the Director of the Gombe
Specialist Hospital confirmed to Human Rights Watch that his hospital alone treated
41 people for injuries sustained as a result of political violence during the ten days
surrounding 2007’s general elections. 335
The Run-Up to the 2007 Elections
In March 2007, DPP Gubernatorial candidate and former State Governor Abubakar
Hashidu was arrested for inciting a public disturbance after his supporters allegedly
rampaged through the streets of Gombe town, looting and burning buildings. When a
magistrate judge ordered that Hashidu be remanded to prison, Kalare thugs
disrupted the proceedings of the court and freed him from the dock, attacking and
wounding the magistrate with machetes in the process. 336 Hashidu walked free from
the courtroom and was never re-arrested.
332 Human Rights Watch interview with activist [name withheld], Gombe town, April 20, 2007.
333 Human Rights Watch interview with Abu Maazu, PDP Youth Chairman, Gombe town, April 22, 2007.
334 Ibid
335 Dr. James Maadi, Medical Director, Gombe Specialist Hospital, Interview with Human Rights Watch, April 24, 2007.
336 See, eg, Segun Owofadeji, “Politicians Attack Magistrate, Free Suspect,” This Day, March 21, 2007.
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