BENIN-CITY: Hate speech is any form of communication that belittles, threatens, or incites violence against an individual or group based on attributes such as ethnicity, religion, nationality, political affiliation, or gender.
Around the world, hate speech has been a major driver of conflict and crisis, particularly in Africa. It fuels tribal, religious, and political violence, leading to loss of lives, displacement, and societal breakdown.
The recent developments in Edo State, Nigeria, surrounding Peter Obi’s visit, highlight how hate speech and political intolerance can ignite tensions.
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, visited a nursing school in Benin City, Edo State. His visit sparked an unexpected political reaction. Governor Monday Okpebholo, perceived the visit as a political intrusion and accused Obi of creating a security risk.
Okpebholo insisted it wasn’t a threat but a warning, claiming that the stampede during the visit led to the death of three persons, a claim which has been widely disputed and seen by many as misinformation. This narrative painted Obi’s peaceful visit in a negative light.
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Adding fuel to the fire, Edo APC chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, boldly stated on national television that he hates Peter Obi, clarifying that the opposite of love is hate, and since he does not love Obi, he must hate him. Such blunt statements from political leaders reflect deep-seated intolerance and can incite followers to act violently or become politically radicalized.
In contrast, Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former governor of Rivers State, offered a more diplomatic view. He noted that during his time as governor, Peter Obi informed him of his visit to Rivers State and was provided with logistics and security. Wike’s statement indirectly disagreed with Okpebholo’s reaction, showing that political courtesy and mutual respect are possible, even across party lines.
Under Nigerian law, hate speech is considered a criminal offense. The Cybercrimes Act 2015 and other regulations by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) prohibit any speech or content that incites hatred or violence. Yet, enforcement remains weak, and many public figures continue to make divisive statements without consequences.
In Africa, hate speech has been directly linked to political and ethnic violence, as seen in Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, post-election violence in Kenya, and religious conflicts in Nigeria. It often precedes physical attacks and contributes to societal division.
The situation in Edo State shows how political leaders’ words can fuel tension or ease them. While disagreement is part of democracy, resorting to hate speech undermines national unity.
Political actors must lead by example, choosing respectful dialogue over hostility. Laws against hate speech must be enforced to prevent crises and promote peace in Nigeria
Written by Elvis ogboi Content writer , News blogger, researcher and entrepreneur
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