2023: ACF raises alarm over rising tension, violence, hate speech

From: Femi  Oyelola, Kaduna

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has raised alarm over the rising tension and lawlessness in the buildup to elections.

In a statement tagged; “Hate speech and violence will be our death,” signed by its Secretary General Muritala Aliyu, the ACF said that inspite of the life-threatening challenges arising from lack of security and the growing economic crises, there are desperate political leaders and other self-appointed community champions that will not hesitate to add more fuel to the fire.

“Shamefully, most are driven by blind ambition or plain hatred. No one can fail to notice the alarming rise of tension and lawlessness as the election campaigns and contests gather pace. There are reports that some politicians are engaging thugs and violent individuals to attack their opponents, spreading terror and fear everywhere.

“Of much greater concern, however, is the resort to hate speech, insults, and threats of violence being issued by the political leaders, including by state governors. They seem to be pathetically unaware that the distance between hate speeches and violence, even genocide, is a very short one.

“Hate speech, for whatever reason, covers many forms of expression, but all incite, promote, or justify hatred, violence, and discrimination against an individual or group of people. It poses grave dangers to the unity and stability of a democratic society, the protection of human rights, and the rule of law. Unchecked, it can lead to acts of violence and conflict on a grand scale. ”