Hate Speech In Nigeria:

The Jonathanians Vs the Buharists

The root of the heated Political atmosphere in Nigeria.

The word hate speech has become popular in Africa's popular country. The West African Country managed to escape a tumultuous election scenario in 2015 when Ex- President Goodluck Jonathan was beaten by General Muhammadu Buhari in the March 28 2015 Presidential election. The events that preceded the defeat triggered an ill feeling amongst Nigerians and even though for a while there has been no unity, the level of disunity heightened but before going further on hate speech we must look at its dictionary meaning and its connotations and what constitutes hate speech. Hate speech according to www. dictionary.com. A hate speech is a speech that is intended to insult, attack a person or group because of their race, ethnicity, gender or religion That is to say a hate speech is not exactly a fair criticism but a criticism born out of prejudice, bitterness, pain which is not often rational but aimed at tarnishing someone's image, reputation or creating a false perception of your targets
In the last 2 years, this present administration has been characterised by numerous hate speeches, whether be it from PDP or APC or be it from the Arewa youths or the Biafran youths, the truth is that as each day passes by we hear groans, complains, expressions that sound extremely emotional and disturbing.

Notwithstanding there has actually been hate comments and utterances made in the past notably under Ex President Jonathan who received more insults and disrespectful remarks than any other leader in Nigeria's history. President Jonathan's freedom of speech belief was capitalised on by the North to make statements that were far inappropriate, derisory and contemptuous to a President. The fact that he inherited a government after his late Boss President Musa Yaradua passed away after a protracted ailment got many of the Northern big wigs who felt he should resign for another Northerner so as to complete their tenure rather than continue his presidency upset.

In 2011 elections,Jonathan did not panic, he declared and contested and as the results were announced there was chaos in the North, Corp members and Christians were massacred for that reason and after he was installed some of the Northerners who were denied the party's flag bearer chance began to hit out and make unhealthy comments. Boko haram began their rampage and the Northerners further capitalised on that to undermine Jonathan's presidency by accusing the Presidency of negligence and insensitivity to the bombings taking place in their land and how he was incapable of ruling the country. General Muhammadu Buhari in an invitation gave an illustration of the Baboon and the dog and how they will both be soaked in blood if PDP continues in 2015. He accused the Federal government as being a Bokoharam. In fact the likes of Buhari asked President Jonathan to resign. The likes of Adamu Ciroma cried out with the Power must return to the North slogan. The likes of Murtala Nyako threatened that there will be civil war if Jonathan Contested for the next election. The likes of Pastor Tunde Bakare lashed out at Jonathan, calling him incompetent but the gentle Jonathan kept mute. Some may claim it was wisdom, some may see it as weakness. But however it gave room for more hate speeches and more insults. Hate speech is like a wild fire. It often starts small but as it begins it gets larger and more menacing. The APC were waxing stronger and more hate speeches erupted. Governor Nasir El Rufai started his bashing the President. Hon Rotimi Amaechi threatened a parallel government if Jonathan won.

As the elections got closer it heightened again as hate speech and propaganda became the main weapon of campaigning. This group said this, that group said that. The Christian Association of Nigeria entered the war zone calling APC an Islamic party. The Sultans and the Emirs joined. The campaign managers of both APC and PDP including their Publicity officials joined. The First Lady too. Infact in one of her outings she called the Northerners '' Born throw away'' a remark that was said to offend PDP Chairman Adamu Muazu who later was accused of betraying the President. On the week of the election the likes of Asari Dokubo, Tompolo and other militants joined and said '' No Jonathan, No Nigeria''. And honestly at that point it was clear the direction Nigeria was heading.
President Jonathan lost and in his wisdom stepped aside to prevent a further heating of the polity but Buhari not wise enough to see how bad the country was being divided came on board persecuting Jonathan's men with corruption charges which Nigerians felt were also amongst his party members. He was out on a revenge rampage hurting the loved ones of Southerners and preserving his kinsmen. Appointing his kinsmen and sideling the rest of the country. In fact in a CNN interview he clearly promised to marginalise the people of the South and favour the North. Buhari's EFCC began to act like watch dogs, haranguing civilians without justification, breaking into homes without warrants, doing media trials and other uncalled actions, this led to more angry talks from the South South. Radio Biafara became a station for hate speeches, foul languages and dangerous utterances.


The President seeing this did not change his body language but continued in his nepotism. He threatened the Niger Delta militants and they bombed more pipelines in retaliation and with a sense of '' Now what will you do''? Buhari's dictatorial approach offended civilians who believed they voted in democracy not '' militocracy''. Nmamdi Kanu declared his intentions for Biafra Nation and he kept on bombarding the government. Yes he was arrested but it only made things worse as more Igbos developed the persecution complex behavior which makes people to pity the one who is being victimized and hate the one victimizing. Buhari was hated, more angry words and the militants dared him to come to Niger Delta if he would return alive. Of course he shuddered and sent his Vice Prof Yemi Osibanjo.
The igbos in reaction began protests in a peaceful manner but the military attacked them violently killing them even without a single weapon fired by them Arewa youths issued quit notices and the igbos chased them away in their territories. The EFCC kept on haranguing individuals, they even freezed outspoken Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State account without a genuine order. He fired back in his usual manner and many supported his stance. When a leader sets up a dictatorial system of ruling especially one that is biased and nepotistic, the reaction is often hate speech and dis unity. The root of the hate speeches from the above is clear, a strong quest to crush other tribes, a strong quest to revenge and retaliate the Jonathians and a strong quest for these oppressed groups to be free of it. If there is hate speech in Nigeria, the President must look at himself, his kinsmen must look at themselves, his party members must do the same. You can win an election by hate speeches and propaganda but you cannot sustain a polity that has been infiltrated by your corrosive comments and gestures.

The battle of supremacy is the root of hate speech and unless a fair system is created the country cannot get rid of that cancer. No one wants to be victimized and in defence they will cry out and speak out in extreme emotions, this is the concept of hate speeches. The hate speech case in Nigeria stems from the self centeredness of one tribe to always rule. It stems from the defeat of an incumbent and the oppression of his people. It is in fact now a defence mechanism by his people to prevent further attacks and victimization. The APC or will I say the Buharists are only being served with a dose of their own medicine. The earlier they realise this and reach out to the hurt, the better for everyone


Thank You Nigerians