Nigeria’s acting president warns against hate speeches

Nigeria’s Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has urged Nigerians to desist from utterances that would bring chaos and anarchy to the country, saying they must respect each other in their conversations and interactions to foster national unity.

He was reacting to hate speeches which had become a tool used by Nigerians in different sections of the country, thereby heating up the polity.

“The language of exchange in the country must be civil,” Osinbajo said at a seminar organised by the Institute for Security Studies, an arm of the Department of State Services (DSS).

“We must not tolerate a situation where people speak in any way they like and citizenry should also shun all narratives that would foment all kinds of trouble and create divisions and embrace those that unite.”

The acting president noted that the Federal Government had no choice than to ensure the security of lives and property of its citizens, stressing that the administration had initiated series of social investment programmes to promote social justice and give all Nigerians a sense of belonging.

“The truth is that we have a duty to ensure that we deal seriously with the issue of poverty and social justice and the N500 billion earmarked for social investment programme would be utilised in that direction,” he said.

He added that the fund was not for poverty alleviation, but specifically meant to correct the social and economic imbalance in the country, noting that many Nigerians were poor not because the country was not endowed but due to massive stealing of public funds by past leaders and it was the duty of all to stand against corruption.

He maintained that Nigeria’s destiny is in the hands of the youth who constitute two-third of the country’s population, urging them to get actively involved in the nation’s political process.

“If you must take over, you must be directly involved in the political process of your country,” adding that no matter what side of the divide one stands, “We are greater together than apart.”

In his welcome address, Director General, DSS, Lawal Daura said the organisation wants to restate her position that all groups or individuals who are bent on pursuing their divisive and separatist activities that threaten national security should have a rethink.

He noted that the law enforcement agencies will not sit by idly while they continue on their activities that put at risk the lives and properties of law abiding and innocent Nigerians.

“We will deploy the full amalgam of the security infrastructure to deal with subsisting and emerging developments capable of endangering lives and properties as well as our corporate existence as a nation.

“Globally, the security agencies form the core of institutions that give backbone to statehood. Consequently, every activity that represents an existential threat to the nation is a direct challenge to the security agencies which must be responded to.

“The security sector views the unity of this nation as a sacred trust and this task we will do our utmost to meet,” he said