What should be done to hate speech peddlers?
Ifeanyi Ume, Lawyer, Abuja Those people that make hate speech do so because they have a problem that is already bothering them and they speak to it. People walking on the streets without jobs have bottled up anger and are just looking for an opportunity to vent it. If things were working, that bottled up anger […]
Ifeanyi Ume, Lawyer, Abuja
Those people that make hate speech do so because they have a problem that is already bothering them and they speak to it. People walking on the streets without jobs have bottled up anger and are just looking for an opportunity to vent it. If things were working, that bottled up anger that is within both the elderly and the young that make them propel hate speeches will reduce. It is the failure of government that causes all this. Nigerians don’t actually hate themselves, be they Hausa, Yoruba or Igbo. It is as a result of the economic hardship. If the government will make things easier, hate speech will die a natural death.
Harold Idemudia, 45, Businessman, Abuja
I personally see hate speech as a subtle way of people bringing anarchy into a state, and such things should not be handled with levity. Before the coming of social media, hate speech was not as rampant as it is today. Now it is like every second or any minute. If you ask me, the government should arrest and prosecute people who propagate hate speech. Anywhere anyone uses any means to peddle hatred should go for five years minimum prison time, or a fine of two million naira.
Jailani Ngati, 31, Business Manager, Abuja
I suggest that people be educated on the strength of a group of people working together as opposed to our individual differences. I think that is the only way we can tackle such actions in our society, especially in our places of worship, the messages of peace, unity and equality should be promoted. It should also be taught to kids in schools that there are other ways to settle your differences rather than resulting to violence. If such people insist I think they can be detained by the police and punished as prescribed by the constitution.
Philip Tehremba, 30, Teacher, Abuja
I don’t think it is right for people to be throwing hate speech around. The way the country is, hate speech is a delicate issue, especially with the clamour for Biafra, the president’s health and other important issues. We should not try to heat up the polity. I will advise people responsible for carrying hate speech to find something better to do because I believe what you sow is what you will reap. If you are sowing hatred around, it is not going to make the country better. As to the punishment, that, I leave to the constitution. If there is no such law I encourage the police to apprehend such persons and find a way of discouraging them from spreading hate speech.
Jamila Suleiman 21, Student, Bauchi
I think the media should stop giving unnecessary attention to hate speech peddlers as hate speech is a threat to national peace. Measures should be put in place by the authorities to tackle this. We as citizens should also understand there are limitations to our freedom of speech, and hate speech is part of those limitations.
Yahya Adamu, 35, Businessman, Abuja
I think the best way to eradicate hate speech or to tackle this issue is to inform the youth about the benefits of this peace that we are enjoying and show them the implications of hate speech. Furthermore, the government should ensure peace, unity and equality within its citizens without any bias. Also, the police and other security personnel should carry out their work justly and arrest whoever perpetrates such crimes.
Umar Muhammad Bapetel, 50, Radiographer, Adamawa State
Hate soeech is ensitive and can cause disunity in the society or even lead to war. Therefore it is highly discouraged. What causes this is the lack of discipline by government. It is expected that the government will know how to control its citizens, even the freedom of speech that we have has some limitations and whoever exceeds those limitations should be punished.
Ejekere Paul, 30, Security Personnel, Edo
The only way to stop those who are spreading hate speech is for them to be brought to justice by the police. The people who are perpetrating this are known, therefore they should be arrested and punished accordingly.