By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) — As part of activities marking the International Day of Democracy, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in partnership with the United Nations in Nigeria, on Monday, convened a high-level roundtable in Abuja to spotlight the urgent need for ethical and hate-free politics ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The event, attended by key stakeholders including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, civil society groups, media representatives, and international partners, centered on combating rising hate speech, voter suppression, and unethical practices that continue to erode public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
Delivering the opening remarks, NHRC Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu (OFR, SAN), described the roundtable as both “timely and urgent” given the disturbing trends of electoral misconduct and divisive rhetoric.
“This event comes at a time when global attention is focused on deepening democratic values,” Dr. Ojukwu said, referencing this year’s Democracy Day theme, ‘Achieving Gender Equality, Action by Action’. He stressed the need for Nigeria to promote political inclusion, especially for women, youth, persons with disabilities, and minority communities.
While acknowledging some democratic gains since 1999, Dr. Ojukwu warned that persistent challenges such as low voter turnout, vote buying, electoral violence, and hate speech continue to undermine progress.
“Hate speech is not just a violation of human rights; it is a threat to democracy itself,” he said. “For the speaker, it may appear as freedom of expression. But for the recipient, it’s a violation of dignity and equality.”
To address this, the NHRC Scribe highlighted several interventions:
– The creation of a National Hate Speech Register,
– Training of NHRC staff to monitor and report hate speech,
– The launch of the MOVE Project (Mobilising Voters for Elections),
– A Policy Advisory on Media’s Role in Countering Hate Speech.
Dr. Ojukwu also announced plans to introduce a Charter on Ethical and Hate-Free Politics, to be presented to political parties as a commitment to peaceful, inclusive, and people-focused campaigns.
Also speaking at the event, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Mohamed Malick Fall, echoed concerns over the corrosive effects of hate speech and misinformation, particularly in the digital age.
“Democracy is not just about holding elections. It is about inclusion, pluralism, and respect,” Mr. Fall said. “Online hate and disinformation can move from the margins to the mainstream, fueling division and violence.”
Mr. Fall emphasized the concept of information integrity, ensuring that public discourse is grounded in facts, and called on political parties to:
Focus on policy-based campaigns,
Reject divisive rhetoric,
Work with media and tech platforms to counter disinformation,
Referencing the UN Rabat Plan of Action, he reminded stakeholders that hate speech with the potential to incite violence must be condemned, but cautioned that restrictions on speech must be lawful, proportionate, and not a tool for repression.
“Words matter,” he concluded. “Let us choose peace, unity, and progress for Nigeria.
In a strong goodwill message, INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu underlined the Commission’s resolve to enforce the Electoral Act 2022, particularly Section 92, which prohibits the use of language likely to provoke ethnic, religious, or sectional tensions during campaigns.
“Unethical practices, misinformation, and hate speech threaten both the credibility of our elections and the peace of our nation,” Prof. Yakubu said.
He noted that INEC, working closely with security agencies, has already secured convictions for electoral offences in three states. The Commission plans to intensify collaboration with law enforcement to tackle hate speech and ensure offenders are held accountable.
“Politics must be a contest of ideas, not a theatre of hostility,” he stated. “Political communication must promote national unity and reflect democratic values.”
Prof. Yakubu welcomed the roundtable as a platform for dialogue and consensus-building, adding that its outcomes could make future elections more credible, peaceful, and inclusive.
The roundtable provided a space for robust dialogue among stakeholders, who agreed that hate speech, political intolerance, and misinformation pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic development.
Participants unanimously called for:
Strengthening political party codes of conduct,
Enhancing media responsibility,
Promoting inclusive political participation,
Ensuring accountability for hate speech and electoral malpractice.
Precise Post recalls that the consensus at the event was that democracy can only thrive when grounded in ethics, truth, and respect for human rights.
