Call for Hate-Free Speech and Ethical Politics in Nigeria: A Critical Step Towards Democratic Governance

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the United Nations Resident Commissioner in Nigeria have emphasized the need for hate-free speech and ethical politics in the country, highlighting the critical role of these ideals in strengthening democratic institutions and promoting gender equality. The call was made during a roundtable discussion in Abuja to commemorate the 2025 International Day for Democracy, with the theme "Achieving Gender Equality, Action by Action." The event brought together key stakeholders, including human rights advocates, political leaders, media representatives, and civil society organizations, to discuss the impact of hate speech and unethical political practices on Nigeria's democratic processes.

Key Takeaways:

• Hate speech is intricately related to human rights and is a violation of the rights to dignity of the human person and the freedom from discrimination based on various affinities.
• Ethical politics is not optional but essential for the survival of democracy, and hate speech, vote buying, and voter intimidation are significant threats to democratic processes.
• The NHRC and its partners plan to propose a Charter on Ethical and Hate-Free Politics to Nigeria's political parties, encouraging them to commit to peaceful, value-laden, and human rights-based politicking.
• The United Nations has emphasized the importance of promoting information integrity, accuracy, consistency, and reliability of information, particularly in the digital age where misinformation and disinformation can spread rapidly.
• In Nigeria, vibrant political discourse and engagement should be moments of unity and pride, but can be harmful if hateful language and hostile narratives are allowed and accepted.
• The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognizes the value of ethical and hate-free politics in reducing tensions, fostering mutual understanding, and promoting a culture of civility in political competition.

Statistics:

• Hate speech has been a precursor to some of the worst atrocities, including genocide, and can incite hostility and result in violence.
• The misuse of digital platforms undermines trust in democratic institutions and endangers human rights, with 75% of the world's population using digital platforms to access information.
• In Nigeria, the stakes are high, with 61% of Nigerians expressing concern about the spread of misinformation and 55% reporting that they have been misinformed or deceived by false information.

Sources:

• National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
• United Nations Resident Commissioner in Nigeria
• Open in WhatsApp
• Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
• NAN (Nigeria News Agency)