A Kano-based Non Governmental Organization, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has called on government to sensitise politicians on the dangers associated with hate speeches. The CITAD Senior Programme Officer, Mr Isah Garba gave the advice while briefing newsmen in Kano on Wednesday. He said the call was necessary in order to promote peaceful coexistence in the country as the politicians prepare for the upcoming general elections in 2019.

“As preparation for 2019 general elections is around the corner, government should make it duty to caution and sensitise politicians on dangers of hate speeches. “This should be done either during campaigns or in any other intra or inter party political statements,” Garba said. He also advised the Federal Government to establish a mechanism of sensitising the public on effects of hate speech, its dangers to the peaceful coexistence in the country.

“The government should also come up with effective ways of neutralising the impacts of hate speech among both its audience and victims. “I want to call on editors of Newspapers and other media practitioners to always maintain the professional ethics and ensure that hate speakers are not promoted in the media,”Garba said. He called on members of the public to imbibe the spirit of tolerance and ensure whatever message they received on any platform of the social media, was verified to ensure its authenticity.

“In the month of August our monitoring team monitored and reported a total of 816 hate speeches out of which 324 are on ethnic, 166 on religion and 67 on Biafra issues. Others he said, are election issues eight. Access to resources, five while farmers/herders had three.