As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, the United Nations has urged political parties to center their campaigns on policies and ideas rather than insults, hate speech, or divisive rhetoric.
Speaking at the Roundtable on Hate-Free Politics in Abuja on Monday, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Mohamed Fall, stressed that elections should focus on dignity, rights, and the future of citizens. He warned that hate speech undermines democracy and called on parties to adopt codes of conduct that reject divisive narratives, promote information integrity, and work with media platforms to curb misinformation.
“Words matter,” Fall said, marking the International Day of Democracy. “Choosing our words carefully means choosing peace, unity, and progress for Nigeria.” He added that democracy must go beyond elections to ensure inclusion, pluralism, and meaningful public participation.
Also speaking at the event, Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu, cautioned that hate-filled political rhetoric, electoral violence, vote-buying, and weak internal party democracy continue to threaten Nigeria’s democratic growth. He emphasized that hate speech infringes on human rights and fuels division, undermining voter participation and social cohesion.
The roundtable, convened by the UN and NHRC, seeks to promote ethical and inclusive political engagement, secure rights-based commitments from stakeholders, and reduce hate speech in the lead-up to the 2027 elections and beyond.
