The Role of Voter Education in Combating Hate Speech and Electoral Violence in Nigeria

E J Nokshuwan ,J I Gaadi ,I U Abubakar ,F A Bamgbade

doi:10.7176/rhss/10-24-05

Abstract

The paper examined the role of voter education in combating hate speech and electoral violence in Nigeria. Hate speech and electoral violence have been serious issues in Nigeria in recent time, they have caused many problems to the level of growth and development of Nigeria. There is no doubt in saying the development and culture of men affected by hate speech and electoral violence in Nigeria. Hence, this paper extensively discussed the concept of electoral violence and hate speech, forms, and causes of hate speech and electoral violence as well as the effects of hate speech and electoral violence. The paper concluded that the only mechanism in curbing hate speech and electoral violence which seed has eaten deep in the life of the electorates is voter education. To this end, the paper suggested among others that the government should create massive sensitization through voter education to prevent the menace of hate speeches in the country. Keywords : Political Campaigns, Electoral Violence, Hate Speech, Voter Education DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/10-24-05 Publication date: December 31 st 2020

Highlights

Democracies of various phases of development and consolidation have proven vulnerable to hate speech, which leads to electoral violence and other ill effects
Institutions prevented from developing because power is gain and retained through violent acts like the proliferation of small arms and peddling of hate speeches sustains the culture of intolerance and electoral violence in Nigeria (Orji 2012)
Voter education focuses on the role of the citizen as a voter

Summary

Introduction

Democracies of various phases of development and consolidation have proven vulnerable to hate speech, which leads to electoral violence and other ill effects. Ignorance plays a role sometimes, citizens often do not know what they are talking about, and that is where lack of adequate knowledge and information on politics and electoral process worsens the effect of hate speech on the people, especially the youths.

Results

Conclusion