2027 Elections: “Nobody is Above the Law” NHRC Warns Against Hate Speech, Incitement 

2027 Elections: “Nobody is Above the Law” NHRC Warns Against Hate Speech, Incitement

By Raphael Ekpang

Abuja (Core Repor6ers) Taking a proactive measure to avert impending dooms as regard human rights violation the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has warned that unchecked hate speech, incitement, intimidation and divisive rhetoric could trigger violence, suppress voter participation and deepen ethnic, religious and regional divisions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu (SAN) gave the warning on Thursday at a press conference at the NHRC headquarters in Abuja, stressing that Nigeria must act before inflammatory rhetoric translates into violence.

Ojukwu said the Commission had recently expressed concern over statements attributed to some public figures, including Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir and Senator Francis Fadahunsi, which it said had crossed the bounds of decency and had the potential to denigrate individuals or groups, heighten tensions and instigate violence.

According to him, freedom of expression is a fundamental human right but does not constitute a licence to incite violence, promote hatred, dehumanise others or deliberately provoke hostility against individuals or communities.

He said the NHRC’s intervention was not targeted at any political party, religious group, ethnic community or individual, but was aimed at protecting human dignity and preserving the conditions necessary for peaceful, credible and inclusive elections.

The NHRC boss warned that hate speech should not be dismissed as ordinary political rhetoric, noting that portraying individuals or communities as enemies, inferior, dangerous or undeserving of rights could fuel discrimination, intimidation and violence.

He identified political violence, communal tensions, voter intimidation, suppression of civic participation, erosion of trust in democratic institutions and long-term social fragmentation among the possible consequences of unchecked divisive rhetoric.

Ojukwu also cited the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda as a painful historical reminder of the destructive consequences of sustained propaganda, denigration, dehumanisation and incitement.

“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,” he said.

The Executive Secretary urged political leaders and candidates to make the 2027 elections contests of ideas, policies, competence and service rather than hatred, ethnic hostility or religious antagonism.

He called on political parties to strengthen internal mechanisms for preventing and sanctioning inflammatory rhetoric, while urging religious, traditional and community leaders to use their influence to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

He further urged law enforcement agencies to respond appropriately to credible cases of incitement, intimidation and threats in accordance with the Constitution and applicable laws, while respecting due process and fundamental rights.

The NHRC also called on the media to avoid amplifying potentially harmful statements without adequate context, verification and public-interest consideration, while urging social media users to verify information before sharing content capable of provoking hatred, hostility or violence.

Ojukwu said the Commission would continue to monitor developments, document human rights concerns, engage stakeholders and deploy its statutory powers throughout the electoral cycle.

He appealed to Nigerians to preserve the country’s diversity and democratic space, saying: “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.” he concluded.