ACF cautions political actors against hate speech, violence

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has cautioned politicians against hate speech and violence, raising tension and lawlessness as the 2023 elections campaigns have commenced.

In a statement Sunday titled: “Hate speech and violence will be our death”, the ACF’s Secretary General, Murtala Aliyu, said lawlessness if left unchecked would lead to acts of violence and conflicts on a grand scale.

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The ACF said that despite the life-threatening challenges arising from lack of security and the growing economic crises there were desperate political leaders and other self-appointed community champions that would not hesitate to “add more fuel to the fire.”

Part of the statement reads: “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 elections 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 state governors. They seem to be pathetically unaware that the distance between hate speech 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.”