The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Hate speeches

  • Stop ‘hate speeches’, group urges warring factions

    Pan-Igbo group, ‘The Igbo Conscience’ has urged the Yoruba and Igbo warring ethnic factions in Lagos State to sheath their swords. The group expressed worry that the negative fallout of the last general elections could trigger unsavoury developments if not checked.

    A statement by Onyekachi Ubani and Peter Claver Opara noted that the cordial relationship between the two tribes was soured by the process and outcome of the March 28 and April 11 elections.

    They blamed the degenerating relationship on the negative politics that attended the electioneering.

    According to the group, the developments, tragically spiraling into a dangerous exchange of hate messages have gone to the extent of some Yoruba groups mobilising anti-Igbo protests.

    The statement reads: “We note the concern of these Yoruba groups on the continued picketing of a Yoruba, Dr. Ayo Ariyo, in Dallas, United States, by some Igbo’s for his comments and which he had made sufficient clarifications.

    “We condemn both actions; we see these as very dangerous and warn that no one, either Igbo or Yoruba will gain from a degeneration of this situation.

    “The Igbo Conscience does not join issues with any group and we warn both groups against furthering hate, division, anarchy, hatred and acrimony. We will gain more from sustaining the age-long cordial relationship that has nurtured our collective interests.

    “We appeal to both tribes to heed to reason and end this needless warfare that will not benefit any one.

    “We state emphatically that we share a common bond of unity and understanding with the Yoruba, either in Lagos or any other Southwest state.

    “The Igbo Conscience therefore calls for a cessation of hostilities between Igbo and Yoruba, either in Lagos, Dallas or any other state in and outside Nigeria.

    “The Igbo Conscience will, in conjunction with concerned Yoruba professionals and leaders, work to mend the frosty relationship between the groups.

    “We call on all Igbo and Yoruba, either in Lagos or elsewhere, to cease forthwith from issuing or causing to be issued, damaging hate speeches, inciting write-ups and insinuations that will further endanger the peace and unity between Ndigbo and the Yoruba”.

  • Hate speeches undermine democracy, says Fashola

    Hate speeches undermine democracy, says Fashola

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola said yesterday that hate speeches by politicians undermine the country’s electoral process and democracy.

    Fashola spoke when a delegation of the Council of the Wise, led by its Coordinator, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, visited him in Lagos.

    He said efforts must be made to stop the ugly trend, and to institute a means of holding politicians and their supporters accountable for their actions.

    “The only way to hold politicians accountable is not only for what is done by them but that also done on their behalf,” he said.

    The governor said it was important for candidates disssociate themselves from hate speeches and actions capable of disrupting the peace.

    “When thugs begin to terrorise people in the streets, the candidates should be able to disown the actions of such persons.

    “We are helping to promote violence by condoning hate speeches by politicians,” he said.

    The governor also stressed that those seeking for political offices must regard their quest as a call to serve the people and not their vested interest.

    On the use of the Card Reader, he said jettisoning it would be unfair to Nigerians when so much money had been spent on its procurement.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gambari also visited the Chairman of Channels Television, John Momoh in Lagos, where he solicited partnership.

    He said the station had been objective and committed to the ethics of journalism.

    “We need you as partners. I consider Channels as my station. We need your cooperation,” he said.

    He accused some politicians of making “irresponsible speeches” that could undermine the unity of the country.

    Gambari called on religious, traditional and other critical leaders to support efforts aimed at promoting peaceful elections in the country.

    Responding, Momoh promised to support the council to achieve its objective.

    “We will do everything possible to key into the vision of the council, we are more than ready to come into the area of support for the council,” he said.

    NAN reports that the council of the wise is a think-tank committed to peaceful and acceptable elections in Nigeria.