HATE SPEECH AND POLITICAL VIOLENCE: IMPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA

Eke C. Chinwokwu (PhD)

Abstract


This paper interrogated the nexus between hate speech and political violence and its implications for sustainable development and democracy in Nigeria. Nigeria’s amalgamation in 1914 brought people of varying cultures together and the struggle for survival on one hand and domination on the other hand had been the greatest bane for the country’s sustainable development and democracy. Since the re-emergence of democracy in 1999, hate speech resulting to hate crime and political violence have dominated the country’s political sphere. It has become a nightmare for individuals and groups to be apprehensive of their safety and wellbeing each election year for fear of criminal victimization. Election year has become a determinant factor in counting loss of lives and properties fueled by hate speech and political violence. The implication is that instead of Nigeria growing democratically and economically, the country is dwindling in terms of sustained development and democracy; to the extent of being declared one of the poorest nations in the world. This paper relied majorly on qualitative content analysis utilizing secondary sources of data collection through journal articles, books, periodicals, news prints and internet materials. The paper concludes that as long as political elites benefit from the outcome of hate speech with muted criminal justice system, political violence will continue to fester derailing sustainable development and democracy in Nigeria. The paper recommends among others that politicians who ride to electoral victory through hate speech and political violence must not harvest their gains; the criminal justice system must act to contain the dangers imposed by hate speech and violence on citizens cum sustainable development and democracy and the electoral umpire must be neutral and act proactively to safeguard democracy and ensure sustainable development.

Keywords


Hate Speech, Political Violence, Sustainable Development, Violence, Democracy.

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