I welcome you to this press conference convened by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) at a critical moment in our national life.

As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 General Elections, the Commission considers it necessary to draw public attention to the growing use of hateful, intimidating, intolerant, denigrating, violence, inflammatory and divisive rhetoric and its potential consequences for human rights, peaceful coexistence and democratic participation.
The NHRC, as Nigeria’s independent National Human Rights Institution with a mandate to promote, protect and monitor human rights, has a responsibility to speak whenever public discourse threatens peaceful coexistence, human dignity, equality, peace and the enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms.

1. WHY WE ARE HERE
In recent weeks, the Commission has had cause to express concern over statements attributed to certain public figures, including Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir and Senator Francis Fadahunsi, which, in the assessment of the Commission, have crossed the red line for decency, have the potential to denigrate individuals or groups, deepen social divisions and heighten tensions and instigate violence.
The Commission reiterates that freedom of expression is a fundamental human right. However, freedom of expression carries responsibilities. It does not provide a licence to incite violence, promote hatred, dehumanise others or deliberately provoke hostility against persons or communities.
Our intervention today is therefore not directed at any political party, religious group, ethnic community or individual. It is a human rights intervention aimed at protecting the dignity and equal worth of every person and preserving the conditions necessary for peaceful, credible and inclusive elections.

2. HATE SPEECH AND DIVISIVE RHETORIC: A HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERN
Hate speech should not be dismissed as mere political rhetoric or provocative language.
When public discourse portrays individuals or communities as enemies, inferior, dangerous or undeserving of rights and protection, it can contribute to discrimination, exclusion, intimidation and violence.
The consequences may include:
• Erosion of human dignity and equality;
• Incitement and escalation of violence;
• Discrimination against individuals and communities;
• Restrictions on meaningful political participation;
• Intimidation of voters and political opponents;
• Deepening of ethnic, religious and regional divisions; and
• Undermining of public confidence in democratic institutions.
These concerns are firmly rooted in Nigeria’s constitutional and international human rights obligations, including the protection of human dignity, equality, freedom of expression and peaceful participation in public affairs.
The appropriate response, however, must always be grounded in law, due process and respect for fundamental rights.
3. LESSONS FROM HISTORY
History has demonstrated that sustained denigrating, dehumanising and inflammatory rhetoric can create an environment in which discrimination and violence become increasingly acceptable.
The experience of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda remains one of the world’s most painful reminders of the destructive power of propaganda, denigration, dehumanisation and incitement.
Nigeria is not Rwanda, but the Commission suggests that the situation if unchecked could escalate circumstances into uncontrolled violence and chaos. God forbid. Nevertheless, the lesson is universal: societies must not wait until inflammatory rhetoric translates into violence before taking preventive action.
Prevention is a fundamental human rights obligation and the government has the primary responsibility under both national and international law to prevent violence and protect the people.
We must therefore identify and address dangerous narratives early, strengthen responsible public communication and ensure that those who cross the boundaries established by law are held accountable through lawful processes.

4. THE STAKES FOR THE 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS
Elections should provide citizens with an opportunity to freely determine their political future.
The 2027 General Elections must therefore be contests of ideas, policies, programmes, competence and service—not contests defined by hatred, ethnic hostility or religious antagonism.
Unchecked divisive rhetoric can contribute to:
1. Political violence through attacks, intimidation and threats against opponents and voters;
2. Communal tensions by exploiting ethnic, religious and regional identities;
3. Displacement and insecurity where communities feel threatened or targeted;
4. Suppression of civic participation where citizens become afraid to speak, assemble or come out to vote freely;
5. Erosion of democratic institutions and public trust; and
6. Long-term social fragmentation that may persist long after an election has ended.
The protection of human rights and the prevention of election-related violence must therefore be regarded as complementary objectives.
5. THE POSITION OF THE NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
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.
Accordingly, the Commission:
First, 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, urges political parties to call their party faithfuls to order and strengthen internal mechanisms for preventing and sanctioning intimidating and inflammatory rhetoric and to promote issue-based campaigns that respect rights.
Third, calls on religious, traditional and community leaders to use their considerable influence to promote peace, tolerance, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence rather to promote hate and violence and disunity.
Fourth, 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, calls on the media to uphold professional and ethical standards in reporting intimidating and inflammatory statements. Responsible journalism requires that potentially harmful content is not amplified without context, verification and appropriate public-interest considerations.
Sixth, 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.
Seventh, encourages citizens who experience or witness human rights violations to report them through appropriate lawful channels, including the National Human Rights Commission.
6. A CALL FOR RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP
The responsibility for preventing election-related violence does not rest with government or security institutions alone. Every Nigerian has a role to play.
To our political leaders, we say: compete on ideas, programmes, competence and your record of service—not on hatred or division.
To our religious and traditional leaders, we say: use your platforms to build bridges, promote tolerance and protect the dignity of every Nigerian.
To the media, we say: inform the public without becoming an amplifier of hatred or incitement.
To young Nigerians, particularly those who constitute a significant part of our online population, we say: do not allow yourselves to be used as instruments for spreading inflammatory content or misinformation.
And to all Nigerians, we say: our ethnic, religious and cultural diversity is not a weakness. It is part of the richness of our national identity.
7. THE WAY FORWARD
The NHRC will continue to monitor developments, document human rights concerns, engage relevant stakeholders and use its statutory powers to promote and protect human rights throughout the electoral cycle.
The Commission will also continue to advocate for a human rights-based approach to elections—one that places the dignity, safety, equality and participation of every Nigerian at the centre of the democratic process.
We must act before rhetoric becomes violence.
We must promote dialogue before division becomes conflict.
And we must protect human dignity before violations become irreversible.
8. CONCLUSION
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
The forth coming elections should be an opportunity to strengthen our democracy, not a trigger for division.
Nigeria has faced difficult moments before, and we have repeatedly demonstrated the capacity to overcome our differences. What we need now is responsible leadership, responsible communication and a renewed commitment to the fundamental principle that every Nigerian is entitled to dignity, equality and protection under the law.
The National Human Rights Commission will not remain silent when human dignity and fundamental rights are threatened.
We call on all stakeholders to join us in building an electoral environment in which disagreement does not become hatred, political competition does not become violence, and diversity does not become a justification for discrimination.
Let us disagree without dehumanising one another.
Let us compete without destroying one another.
Let us campaign without inciting one another.
And let us protect the Nigeria we all share.
I thank you for your attention.
I am now ready to take your questions.

*Chief Tony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN*
*Executive Secretary/CEO*
*National Human Rights Commission*
*President Network of National Human Rights Institutions*
*in West Africa*