The National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria,NHRC has resolved to check the growing cases of hate speech and inciting utterances by Nigeria’s politicians.This was disclosed during a roundtable held Wednesday at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking frankly ,Chairman of the Commission’s council Professor Chidi Anselm Odinkalu enumerated the dangers of hate speech and enjoined everyone to prove the doubting Thomases wrong by showing that “We are Nigerians not savages”.
He cited practical examples like the statement by Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema who referred to opposition and “cockroaches”, the recent advertorial sponsored by Ekiti State governor Ayo Fayose and even the sermon by Reverend Father Mbaka.
Professor Odinkalu stated categorically that Mbaka has twice violated the laws which prohibit the use of the pulpit to advance political goal. The Commission’s chair said Mbaka did so when Mrs Patience Jonathan visited him and he has done it again this time by ostensibly making a case for General Muhammadu Buhari. Odinkalu insisted that Mbaka was wrong and it should be stated clearly by him as the chairman of commission.
Addressing the journalists earlier,Prof Bem Angwe,executive secretary of the commission said, “As an organization saddled with the responsibility for the protection ,promotion and enforcement of Human Rights in Nigeria in line with Section 5(b) and 6(g) of our enabling Act,we feel compelled to call the attention of all those concerned to be mindful of their utterance as the Commission is monitoring utterances and intends to expose the names of those identified to be using hate speech and inciting lanugaes in the prosecution of their political campaigns”
Angwe reiterated that Commission recognizes the powers and responsibility of the media “hold government and individuals accountable ;however, freedom and power entails responsibility.
“News reporting is one giant echo chamber ,hence more particularly the social media which uses twitter handles,facebook and bloggers should not provide their platforms for fanning the embers of identity,tension and incitement to violence” .
Angwe urged the media to abide by its code of ethics and professionalism.
