Hate Speech in Nigerian Politics: An Islamic and Christian Perspectives

Shuaibu Umar Gokaru; Mohd Roslan Mohd Nor; Faisal Ahmad bin Abdul  Hamid; Youcef Benselah; Mustaffa  Abdullah; Abdul Karim bin  Ali

doi:10.32350/jitc.132.20

Shuaibu Umar Gokaru Universiti Malaya, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6651-2154
Mohd Roslan Mohd Nor Universiti Malaya, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6521-4603
Faisal Ahmad bin Abdul Hamid Universiti Malaya, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7245-3330
Youcef Benselah Universiti Malaya, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5831-2692
Mustaffa Abdullah Universiti Malaya, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3274-0287
Abdul Karim bin Ali Universiti Malaya, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5794-2996

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32350/jitc.132.20

Keywords: hate speech, manipulation, Nigerian politics, political sentiments, remedy

Abstract

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The prevalence of hate speech in Nigerian politics is alarming. This paper aims to examine the remedy for hate speech in the Islamic and Christian perspectives. To achieve the designed objectives, qualitative methods involving historical and contextual approaches were used in data collection and analysis. The findings reveal that nowadays, in Nigeria, hate speech causes political sentiments and manipulations, religious insinuations and misinterpretations, and tribal jingoism and still is being used by some undesirable elements among the politicians. The findings further show that hate speech leads clergies and tribal jingoists to cause disaffection and civil insurrection among Nigerian citizens. This caused a huge setback to Nigerian sustainable development, both religiously and economically. The paper, therefore, recommends that Muslim scholars and priests should endeavour to create a conducive environment where a public lecture would be organized to emphasize the impacts of peaceful coexistence among Nigerian Muslims and Christians just to remedy the disease of hate speech.

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