The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to impose punishment on politicians who have resulted to hate speech, insults, and threats of violence during their campaigns ahead of the 2023 general election.

The ACF said the rife hate speeches and acts of violence and aggression in the campaigns mean that the laws are not being enforced, noting that INEC has a responsibility to act and enforce the 2022 Electoral Act as amended.

The Forum this via a statement made available to The Star on Sunday by its Secretary-General, Murtala Aliyu.

The ACF stated that although Nigeria is already facing severe life-threatening challenges arising from insecurity and the growing economic crises, there are many desperate political leaders and other “self-appointed community champions that will not hesitate to add more fuel to the fire.”

It noted that some politicians have reportedly planned to engage thugs and violent persons to attack their opponents, “spreading terror and fear everywhere” ahead of the 2023 general election.

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“Of much greater concern however is the resort to hate speech, insults, and threats of violence being issued by the political leaders including by State Governors. They seem to be pathetically unaware that the distance between hate speeches and violence, even genocide, is a very short one.

“Hate speech,  for whatever reason, covers many forms of expression but all incite,  promote or justify hatred, violence, and discrimination against an individual or group of people. It poses grave danger to the unity and stability of a democratic society, protection of human rights, and the rule of law. Unchecked, it can lead to acts of violence and conflict on a grand scale.

“We have to say that we were relieved to hear of Governor Samuel Ortom’s apology following his outburst in this regard. The Governor’s hostile comments on Atiku  Abubakar,  the presidential candidate of the  PDP, dominated discussion in the country for much of last week. The Electoral Act as amended and for good reasons, prescribed heavy punishment for infractions such as this.

“The fact that hate speeches and acts of violence and aggression are rife in this campaign season can only mean that the laws are not being enforced. This hasn’t come as a surprise considering the fact that the National Assembly has so far chosen not to enact the law that will see to the birth of the Electoral Offences Tribunal.

“In the meantime, INEC has a responsibility to act and enforce the Electoral Act as amended. It should impose the harshest punishment possible on politicians who think achieving their personal ambitions is more important than national peace and harmony.  Such persons are unfit for any form of leadership at whatever level.

“Arewa Consultative Forum, therefore, calls on leaders at whatever level to exercise  restrain in their utterances to enable us have a  peaceful election and transition to the next governments,” the ACF stated.

The Star