The NHRC chief Warns Against Hate Speech, Voter Apathy as Nigeria Marks 2026 International Day of Democracy, Eyes 2027 Polls
By A1 News International
ABUJA, Nigeria — As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the 2026 International Day of Democracy, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on political actors to ensure a peaceful, inclusive, and rights-respecting electoral environment ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Chief Tony Ojukwu said democracy goes beyond ballots—emphasising dignity, participation, freedom of expression, and accountability without fear.
Democracy Beyond Elections, NHRC Stresses
Chief Ojukwu said the day serves as a reminder that democratic governance is measured by the rights and voice of citizens, including the freedom to speak, choose leaders, participate in public life, and challenge power through lawful means.
He added that democracy thrives when citizens can debate public issues responsibly—without intimidation or intimidation-by-proxy.
Call for Restraint Ahead of 2027 Elections
With the 2027 polls approaching, the NHRC Executive Secretary urged politicians, political parties, and supporters to exercise restraint and responsibility in public utterances.
He warned against language capable of fueling violence, stressing that democracy is strengthened by discourse—not hatred or incitement.
Words as a Tool for Peace or Destruction
Ojukwu cautioned that hate speech, inciteful statements, ethnic profiling, and threats undermine national unity and can destabilize democratic processes.
The NHRC chief urged campaign teams to run issue-based campaigns and avoid rhetoric that could erode public trust or encourage electoral violence.
NHRC to Monitor Hate Speech, Electoral Violence
Chief Ojukwu also noted that the Commission will continue monitoring hate speech and electoral violence, while calling on eligible Nigerians to remain engaged in civic processes.
He urged citizens not to stay away from the polls, warning that democracy dies when voters withdraw and remain silent—adding that voter apathy and vote-selling pose serious threats to credible elections.
Voter Confidence and Civic Duty
The NHRC chief reiterated that the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) remains the people’s tool to select leaders of their choice, describing voting as both a right and duty to Nigeria.
He urged Nigerians to vote, make their votes count, and reject the belief that votes do not matter.
Investigation Angle: Digital Rights and Electoral Trust
As Nigeria’s democratic space becomes increasingly digitized, the NHRC statement also intersected with concerns raised by civil society groups monitoring rights violations across platforms.
Accountability Lab, represented by Friday Odeh (Country Director, Nigeria), stated that violations previously reported mainly on platforms such as Twitter are now increasingly reported across different Nigerian communities—including the grassroots in Benue/“Benwei,” Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Plateau States.
Odeh said Accountability Lab, working with partners such as Paradigm Initiative, is engaged through its digital-rights and data-protection reporting initiative, RIPOTI, to document violations involving individuals nationwide.
The group emphasized that restoring public confidence depends on government responsiveness to rights violations, adding that a coordinated, multi-agency approach is required.
Similarly, Ebi Idokwo (Program and Learning Manager, Accountability Lab) said the initiative seeks to bring relevant stakeholders—including enforcement and data-focused agencies—into a shared room to understand field realities and improve responses.
Call for Safety, Equal Opportunity, and Lawful Accountability
Chief Ojukwu further called on the Federal Government, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and security agencies to ensure a level playing field for all stakeholders.
He stressed that government must guarantee the safety of voters, journalists, observers, human rights defenders, and citizens across the political divide.
He warned that any person—regardless of party or status—who attempts to make the polity unbearable, sponsors violence, engages in vote-buying, conducts voter suppression, or attacks democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 elections, must be investigated and prosecuted in line with the law.
The NHRC chief described impunity as a major threat to democracy.
Concluding, Chief Ojukwu reaffirmed the NHRC’s position that Nigeria must build a democracy that delivers not only elections, but justice, equality, and human rights for all citizens.
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