As Nigeria’s 2027 elections draw closer, the United Nations has called on political parties to focus their campaigns on policies and ideas rather than insults, hate speech, or divisive rhetoric.
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, gave the advice on Wednesday in Abuja at a Roundtable on Hate-Free Politics in Nigeria.
Fall stated that, “As we head to the 2027 elections, allow me to share some recommendations. First, political parties must lead by example. Campaigns should focus on policies and ideas, not insults or divisive rhetoric.
“Second, parties should commit to codes of conduct that reject hate speech and promote information integrity. Third, cooperation with media and digital platforms is essential to ensure that harmful content is not amplified, while factual, reliable information reaches voters.
“Above all, we must remember that elections are about people, their dignity, their rights, their future. Hate speech strips people of their dignity and undermines the very foundation of democracy. As leaders, you have the power and the responsibility to set the tone, to show Nigerians that politics can be conducted with respect, truth, tolerance, and integrity”, he added.
On the occasion of the International Day of Democracy, Fall urged all stakeholders to make Nigeria’s democratic participation free from hate and grounded in information integrity. He stressed that words matter, noting:
“By choosing our words carefully, we choose peace, unity, and progress for Nigeria.”
This year’s International Day of Democracy, themed “Democracy and Inclusion in an Age of Insecurity,” served as a reminder that democracy is not only about elections but also about inclusion, pluralism, and public participation.
Fall warned that unchecked falsehoods, especially during elections, erode public trust and mislead citizens. He emphasised the need for cooperation with media platforms to ensure debates are grounded in facts rather than manipulation.
He also cited the Rabat Plan of Action, endorsed by the UN, which calls for prohibiting speech that incites hatred or violence while upholding international human rights standards. According to him, the challenge is striking the right balance between safeguarding freedom of expression and protecting Nigerians from hate speech.
Speaking at the same event, Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu, noted that Nigeria had made significant progress since the return to democracy in 1999 but still faces challenges such as low voter turnout, electoral violence, weak internal party democracy, and exclusion of women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
Ojukwu said, “Above all of these, our democratic and political processes, including communication, have often come under immense challenges of poor values and deep-seated hate-filled rhetoric threatening the foundation of our nationhood.”
He stressed that hate speech violates the dignity and rights of its recipients, fosters political division, and fuels violence. As the 2027 elections approach, Ojukwu warned, the NHRC is alarmed at the rise of hateful politics and unethical practices.
“The National Human Rights Commission has been at the forefront of efforts to promote ethical and hate-free politics in Nigeria,” he added, reiterating the Commission’s resolve to safeguard human rights while strengthening the country’s democratic values.
