Hate Speech as agent provocateur and precursor to insecurity in Nigeria

Seminar paper from the year 2017 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Region: Africa, grade: 1, , course: Doctoral School of Military Science, language: English, abstract: Many Nigerians seem not to be fully aware of the real meaning, implication and their rights to seek redress whenever they find themselves verbally attacked with the prejudices that comes with hate speech which is loaded with intentions to seclude and dehumanize. A country and its citizens must respect the rule of law in order to enhance mutual co-existence. When hate speech is historicized in Nigeria, it shows the role that it has played in catapulting religious, cultural, political and economic differences to a level where uncertainties and tensions are brought to bear. Hitherto, hate speech was not entrenched in the Nigerian constitution until its effects began to threaten the peaceful co-existence of the country especially under the government of President Buhari. This paper sets out to examine in details, how various persons have used hate sheech to achieve their selfish purposes at the detriment of national interest. It will analyse the intentions of such persons and profer solutions to ameliorate its divisive effects. It will go further to examine various ways through which citizens could easily seek cushioned redress.