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From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) Kebbi State and Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) have appealed to all Political Parties in the state to refrain from hate speech and political thuggery that could creates chaos and destabilize peace of the state
They stated this during interaction session with Inter-Party Advisory Council(IPAC),members in the state on the ” mitigating hate speech and political bitterness for peaceful and inclusive elections.
While addressing the IPAC members,State Director of NOA Mohammad,Nasir Karofi explained that, the agency has observed that there was risen in the political crisis and usage of social media to incite and deceived citizens through posting of fake videos and unbalanced narrations.
He said: ” the observations are stark: a rising tide of negativity and division fueled by irresponsible rhetoric. Our objective today is clear to mitigate the rising tide of hate speech, misinformation, and unwarranted bitterness among the supporters of political parties in Kebbi State.
“Distinguished leaders, the period we are in the pre-campaign window-is a crucial moment for introspection and restraint. The current escalation of hostility is not only premature but also counter-productive to building a stable, issue-focused democratic culture. It is a poison that seeps into the social fabric, turning neighbours against neighbours and eroding the mutual trust necessary for a functional society.
” On behalf of the National Orientation Agency, I make this solemn appeal to all of you:, one, appeal for calm and mutual respect: We urge the leadership of all political parties to immediately call your members and supporters to order. You must appeal for calm, insist on mutual respect, and champion an environment where political differences are debated with decorum and civility, not enmity.
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“Secondly , play the game by the rules: The pre-campaign window is a time for policy engagement, internal party organization, and civic education-not mudslinging. The ruling party, the opposition, and the Government, at all levels, must exercise extreme caution. You are to refrain from slander, hate speech, disinformation, and inflammatory comments. Conduct all your affairs strictly according to the Constitutional provisions and the extant Electoral Guidelines.
“The current political season demands strict adherence to the law to guarantee a peaceful build-up to the next general election. Political leadership must commit to fact-checking and condemning the spread of false narratives. Silence in the face of misinformation is complicity. You must actively educate your base on the dangers of propaganda and the importance of verified information”.
In his remark, the State Chairman of IPAC in Kebbi state, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammad commended the agency for the initiative and expressed the readiness of his members to give the agency maximum support.
While reacting to the NOA appeal representative of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),Haruna Jega, said that his party are for peace and not encouraging hate speech or thuggery stressed that the ruling party, APC should always take constructive criticism from opposition party as a way to adjust not with bitterness.
In his reaction,the APC representative, Nasiru Mogaji condemned the manner some of the social media operators usually posted fake videos, unbalanced narrations, which the innocent Nigerians who are outside the state,might not known the true pictures of the situation.
