As the country prepares for the 2027 general elections, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday urged the federal government to decisively tackle the rising spate of hate speech.
The Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Chief Tony Ojukwu, SAN, who addressed a press conference at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, maintained that if unchecked, the situation could escalate into uncontrolled violence and heighten tensions in the country.
Drawing parallels with the situations that precipitated the crisis that engulfed Rwanda in 1994, the rights body warned the Federal Government against ignoring its early warnings on the danger of failing to arrest and prosecute those it said made inflammatory remarks that “crossed the red line for decency” and have the potential to “denigrate individuals or groups, deepen social divisions, heighten tensions, and instigate violence.”
Ojukwu, SAN, said the Commission has already written letters to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; the National Security Adviser (NSA); the Inspector-General of Police (IGP); as well as the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), demanding the arrest and prosecution of an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Jingir, and the Senator for Osun East Senatorial District, Francis Fadahunsi, for hate speech and incitement.
“We wrote to them to rein in politicians and public figures engaging in hate speech.
“The Commission can only warn, but the duty to prosecute lies with the AGF and the police. The NHRC cannot prosecute. We have therefore called on all the responsible institutions to do their job.
“We understand that Senator Fadahunsi has already been invited by the police. We also want them to invite Sheikh Jingir. No one is above the law, and no one should be treated as though they are.
“Our emphasis is that failure to take action to rein in this sort of rhetoric will open the floodgates for other clerics, and no one knows where that will land us before the elections.
“We understand that a lot of people have already lost their lives in Osun State. It is very important that action is taken because nobody knows what may happen next.
“We take this opportunity to remind our religious and political leaders that we have no other country besides Nigeria.
“Our call is that security and prosecuting agencies must always rise to the occasion by meeting every divisive action with an equal measure of the law.
“Since nobody is above the law, these two individuals should be investigated and prosecuted if found culpable. If this is not done, it will send the wrong signal ahead of the 2027 general elections,” the NHRC’s boss added while fielding questions from reporters.
Listing the Commission’s demands, Ojukwu, SAN, said: “The NHRC unequivocally condemns hate speech, incitement to violence, intimidation, or dehumanising rhetoric, and all forms of communication that threaten the dignity, security, and rights of individuals or communities.
“First, it calls on all public officials, political actors, candidates, and aspirants to exercise the highest level of responsibility in their public statements and political communication.
“Second, it urges political parties to call their party faithful to order and to strengthen internal mechanisms for preventing and sanctioning intimidating and inflammatory rhetoric, and to promote issue-based campaigns that respect rights.
“Third, it calls on religious, traditional, and community leaders to use their considerable influence to promote peace, tolerance, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence, rather than to promote hate, violence, and disunity.
“Fourth, it urges law enforcement and other relevant institutions to respond appropriately to credible cases of incitement, intimidation, threats, and unlawful conduct, in accordance with the Constitution and applicable laws, while respecting due process and fundamental rights.
“Fifth, it calls on the media to uphold professional and ethical standards in reporting intimidating and inflammatory statements. Responsible journalism requires that potentially harmful content not be amplified without context, verification, and appropriate public-interest considerations.
“Sixth, it calls on social media users and digital platforms to exercise responsibility in the creation and dissemination of content. Nigerians should verify information before sharing content capable of provoking hatred, hostility, or violence.”
He used the occasion to unveil a well-equipped situation room the NHRC established to enable citizens to report cases of hate speech, intimidation, and election-related violence.
“The forthcoming elections should be an opportunity to strengthen our democracy, not a trigger for division,” the Commission added.
