ASSESSMENT OF YOUTHS UNEMPLOYMENT AS FACTOR FOR POLITICAL VIOLENCE AND RESTIVENESS IN KWALI AREA COUNCIL OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

Abstract

This study examines the nexus between Youths Unemployment and political restiveness and violence in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.  The objectives of the study is to specifically investigate the relationship between youth’s unemployment and Political violence, examine how youth’s unemployment exacerbate Political Violence, assess the impact of Youths involvement in political violence and recommends measures for curbing the challenge of unemployed Youths involvement in political violence in the Area Council. The study was anchored on Ole Wæver (2018)'s securitization theory of which emphasized that fear or threat leads to loss of societal values such as orderliness, respect, civil obedience, peace, unity and patriotism etc. The cross-sectional survey was adopted with data collected from one hundred respondents from the Educational Research and Development Council, Sheda Kwali and Kwali Area Council Secretariat. From the responses in line with the objectives, the study revealed that there is significant relationship between youth’s unemployment and political violence. Also, it is discovered that youth’s unemployment exacerbate Political Violence as political violence are mostly perpetuated by Youths. Also, it is found that that there is impact of youths’ involvement in political violence the socio-political development. Through the lens of the Securitization theory, it was established that security issues can only be achieve either by the government on one part or the collective effort by the citizens as a result of fear of losing the societal value. The study recommends that youth should understand the risk of their involvement in any social vices, as it is not the only means of achieving nor protecting interest rather a means of providing threat to peaceful co-existence and loss of societal value. Likewise, to avoid this, it is cardinal that government give priority to youth in the society and provides them policies that tends to enhance their development.