Hate Speech and National Integration in Nigeria: A Study of Clerics and Political Leaders

Abstract

The paper is a reflection on the divergent ways through which hate speech has precipitated ethnic and religious rivalries in Nigeria, which invariably has constituted a setback to nation building process. It conceives hate speech as derogatory comments directed at individuals or a particular set of people of different ethnic, religion or political identity. Hate speech is antithetical to peace building, development, and peaceful co-existence among diverse groups in democratic societies. It is often promoted by public figures such as politicians, religious clerics, movie stars, and etcetera. Hence, the paper argued that, this category of people, who control the masses sometimes sabotage peace efforts in the area with discriminatory, biased and sentimental statements in the country. The paper mainly dwells on statements made at different occasions by prominent clerics and major politicians in Nigeria, which might have serious security implications to the process of nation building in Nigeria. The methods employed are library research and radio programs like VOA Hausa, BBC Hausa, RFI Hausa and other national radios. It also relies on news paper reports of various media houses.