Concerned by the rising inflammatory rhetoric ahead of the 2027 general elections, a Professor of Political Economy, Conflictology and Alternative Paradigms at the University of Abuja, Prof. Abubakar Abba, has urged Nigerians to reject politicians who deploy hate speech and incite violence for political gain.

The call came as religious leaders, peace advocates, diplomats and development partners gathered in Abuja for the eighth General Assembly of the Inter-Faith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP) Nigeria, where they launched the Inter-Faith Code of Conduct (ICOC) to promote responsible religious leadership and peaceful coexistence.

Speaking after the conference, with the theme: ‘Hate Speech and Violence: The Role of State and Non-State Actors in Nation Building’, Abba blamed what he described as deeply entrenched hate speech and violence in Nigeria’s political, economic and social environment on weak institutions and selective enforcement of the law.

According to him, the country has gradually normalised divisive rhetoric, allowing some individuals to profit politically and socially from spreading hatred.

To be honest, for quite some time now, hate speeches and violence in Nigeria have been weaponised and turned into both political, economic and social ladders through which Nigerians climb to fame and stardom,” he said.

He argued that Nigeria cannot make meaningful progress where laws are not enforced and where certain individuals appear to operate above the law. The don stressed that no nation can truly develop when its laws are not enforceable, and realities are far removed from the expectations of the ordinary citizens.”

As a way forward, Abba advised politicians to jettison divisive rhetoric and embrace issue-based campaigns centred on policy alternatives. More importantly, however, he urged Nigerian voters to reject any political actor who promotes violence or divisive rhetoric.

Meanwhile, the Senior Programme Manager at the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID), Agustin Nunez-Vicandi, stressed the importance of empowering religious leaders to counter hate speech and prevent violence.

He explained that the newly launched Inter-Faith Code of Conduct contains shared values agreed upon by Christian and Muslim leaders, including commitments to reject hate speech, discourage blasphemy and promote peaceful dialogue.

“Our support is aimed at ensuring that religious actors are better equipped to combat forms of hate speech that further exacerbate existing tensions in the Nigerian society,” he said.

Also, Co-Secretary of the Inter-Faith Dialogue Forum for Peace Nigeria, Shefiu Abdul Kareem Majeonu, noted that the peace conference brought together about 200 faith leaders to remind them of their obligation to promote peace rather than political tension, adding that sermons, public statements and religious gatherings possess enormous capacity to shape public opinion.

Earlier, the co-chairs of the inter-faith dialogue forum described the launch of the inter-faith code of conduct as a major milestone in Nigeria’s peacebuilding efforts.