2027 Elections: Don't ignore our early warnings on hate speech, NHRC tells FG

…writes AGF, NSA to prosecute Senator Fadahunsi, Sheikh Jingir

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

ABUJA— 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.”