2027 election and dangers of hate speech

The warning by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to political actors, religious leaders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders against the use of hate speech, incitement, intimidation and divisive rhetoric ahead of the 2027 general election is timely and should be heeded. This is particularly important because unchecked inflammatory utterances could endanger the 2027 elections and threaten the nation’s corporate existence.

The Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, who raised the alert, argued that Nigeria must act before dangerous rhetoric translates into violence. He urged security and law enforcement agencies to respond to credible cases of incitement and threats in accordance with the law and due process. The intervention of the Commission came on the heels of recent statements attributed to some public figures that raised serious human rights concerns.

Ojukwu said that statements attributed to Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir and Senator Francis Fadahunsi of Osun State, have crossed “the red line for decency” and have the potential of denigrating individuals or groups and deepen divisions and heighten tensions. Jingir had said that Christians must not be allowed to aspire for the presidency, while Fadahunsi, during the just concluded Osun governorship election, had encouraged his All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters to attack and kill members of the Accord Party in the state. Though he later recanted and claimed being misunderstood, the weight of the unguarded outburst was not lost on perceptive Nigerians.

The NHRC noted that while freedom of expression remains a fundamental human right, it carries responsibilities and does not confer a licence to incite violence, promote hatred, dehumanise others or deliberately provoke hostility against individuals or communities.

The advice by the Commission is in order. When public discourse portrays individuals or communities as enemies, inferior, dangerous or undeserving of rights and protection, it could result to discrimination, exclusion, intimidation and violence. Unchecked divisive rhetoric could also undermine confidence in democratic institutions and discourage citizens from exercising their civic rights. The incendiary comments could lead to violent attacks against political opponents, voter suppression and intimidation.

Therefore, it is laudable that the NHRC has warned against the use of intemperate language ahead of the 2027 polls. Although we do not pray for it, the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which claimed over 800,000 lives, should serve as a sad reminder of what hate speech can cause. The 2027 political campaigns must be the contestation of ideas, policies, programmes, competence and not ethnic hostility and hatred. Nigerians are already saddled with economic hardship and insecurity. What they need now is message of hope and not ethnic strife.

We agree with the NHRC that politicians should compete on ideas, programmes, competence and record of service, not on hatred or division. The recent peace agreement signed by presidential candidates for the 2027 general elections, in which they pledged to conduct issue-based campaigns and reject violence, hate speech, personal attacks, fake news and ethnic or religious incitement, is a welcome development. The agreement was signed in Abuja under the auspices of the National Peace Committee (NPC), in partnership with The Kukah Centre. Apart from the presidential candidates or their representatives, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, also attended the ceremony.

Let politicians put into practice their commitment to the peace accord. Supporters must equally be made to keep to the rules. The media should desist from amplifying inflammatory statements without consideration of the public interest. Social media users need to verify information before sharing content capable of provoking hatred, hostility or violence.

It is not enough for NHRC to raise alarm on the potential dangers of hate speech to the 2027 polls. Action should be taken. The Commission should continue to monitor developments, document human rights concerns, engage relevant stakeholders and deploy its statutory powers to promote and protect human rights throughout the electoral cycle. It should also partner the police and other security agencies in ensuring that perpetrators of divisive rhetoric are brought to book.

Under Sections 24 and 26 of Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act 2015, the deliberate spread of offensive and inflammatory messages online is recognized as an offence. Let the laws be applied to everybody involved without exception. Protection of the rights of the citizens is a major function of the government. This duty must not be abdicated for whatever reasons. The government and security agencies owe it a duty to ensure that no Nigerian is molested or attacked because of his political persuasion or association. Next year’s elections should provide an opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy not to trigger further divisions.