Faith leaders has launched a new Interfaith Code of Conduct aimed at stamping out hate speech, misinformation and preventing election-related violence as Nigeria heads toward the 2027 polls.
This is just as faith leaders show growing anxiety over the potential for hate speech and misinformation to trigger widespread violence during the 2027 election cycle as they emphasis the need to confront rising ethnic and political tensions.
The document was unveiled at the 8th General Assembly and Peace Conference of the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP) held in Abuja under the theme, ‘Hate speech and violence: role of state and non-state actors in nation-building.
Speaking to the gathering of religious leaders, government representatives, civil society and international partners, the keynote speaker Prof. Abubakar Sadeeque Abba of the University of Abuja criticized the Nigerian state and corporate actors for failing to enforce laws and hold accountable those who promote hate speech, which he described as a tool for political, economic, and social advancement.
Abba noted that some individuals appear to be above the law, allowing such activities to thrive warning that no nation can develop under such conditions.
With elections approaching and campaigns for the electionsset to begin soon, Abba advised political actors to engage professionals for effective campaign messaging rather than inflammatory rhetoric urging Nigerian citizens to reject politicians who promote hate speech, saying they should be shown the way out.
Imam Shafiu Abdul Karim Majemu, co-secretary of the IDFP, said religious leaders are often contracted to incite followers during election periods because of their massive influence stressing that sermons must promote truth and non-violence.
Majemu backed capacity building for faith leaders over direct sanctions, noting that punishing popular religious figures is practically difficult.
The Interfaith Code of Conduct (ICoC), developed over six years, contains ten shared values for Christians and Muslims, with strong emphasis on preventing hate speech and blasphemy.
Senior Programme Manager for the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Inter-Religious and Inter-Cultural Dialogue (KAICIID), Agustin Nunez-Vicandi said the centre has supported the initiative to equip religious actors to combat divisive rhetoric.
He said that he believes the Interfaith Code of Conduct would go a long way in curtailing hate-speech, misinformation and violence incisive statements.
In his address, the co-Chairman of the gathering, Reverend Abanitud Hamman Akila described the gathering as a moment of renewal and called on state and non-state actors to promote responsible communication and reject hatred, ethnic subjugation and political violence.
He stressed for the need for every citizen of the country to affirm their collective commitment to peace, unity, stability, and development of our nation, Nigeria.
‘We gather at a time when our country continues to face complex challenges, religious intolerance, ethnic subjugation, plain speech, misinterpretation, insecurities, violence, exclusion, political tension, and social division.
‘These challenges remind us that peace cannot be taken for granted. Peace must be built, peace must be protected, peace must be mutual, and peace must be defended by responsible citizens, responsible leaders, and responsible institutions.’
He noted that hate speech speech can become a weapon as it can exorcise issues, dehumanise people, mobilise communities against one another and can create conditions for violence stressing that the fight against hate speech is a responsibility that everyone must all perform.
‘Religious leaders must promote peace from the truth and the lies. Traditional leaders must continue to build bridges between their communities. Civil society organisations must strengthen peace, education, and community engagement in the media and promote responsible journalism.
‘Social media users must reject the spread of homophobic information and inflammatory messages. Young people must be empowered to promote a consciousness of peace rather than against human violence. And every citizen must understand that nation-building engages with individual responsibility’, Alike stated.
The code was publicly launched with representatives of grand patrons, the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar and the Christian Association of Nigeria President Archbishop Daniel Okoh and it is expected to be shared among every religious groups and associations across the country.