Hate Speech and the Challenges of Nation Building in Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue V, May 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186

Hate Speech and the Challenges of Nation Building in Nigeria

Yahaya Yakubu

Department of Political Science & International Relations, Nile University of Nigeria

Abstract:-The study set out to explore the plausible existence of a correlation between prevalence of hate speech and the current state of nation building in contemporary. Conceiving hate speech as prejudicial and derogatory comments aagisnt persons of different ethnic origin, the study hinging on the theoretical pedestal of ethnicity holds that; primordial ethnic identity and affiliations remains a major driving force behind widespread prevalence of hate speech in the Nigerian polity. Furthermore, it also holds that the incidence of hate speech is particularly more pronounced in period leading to and after national and local elections. Accordingly, it is of the view that a lot needs to be done legislative wise in terms of enacting legislations geared towards classifying and combating hate speech. Secondly, it also claims that regional and tribal elites should be cautious of their utterances so as not to incite one group against another. While on the side of the government, reasonable amount of political will is required to sensitize and educate the mass as well as inculcation of policies that will strengthen ties across rival groups in Nigeria.

Keywords: Hate Speech, Ethnicity, Nation Building, National Integration, Political Entrepreneurs and Political Inclusion.

I. INTRODUCTION

The underlying ethnicities and nationalities (hence forth groups) that constitute contemporary Nigeria have been on opposite ends for one reason or the other. The uneasy relationship that characterizes the socio-economic, political and cultural interaction amongst various groups remains a formidable a threat to the enduring existence of Nigeria as a single political unit. The troubled history of Africa’s most populous democracy, could be further located in the fall of three republics, incessant military incursions, religious and ethnic based conflicts, post electoral violence, militancy, insurgency to mention but the handful. Since its inception as a political community Nigeria has adopted and implemented a handful of policies and framework structures aimed at fostering national unity and integrating underlying ethnicities and nations.

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