The group has also mapped out strategies to reduce the spread of hate speech by educating the people to understand the aftermath of hate speech; religious leaders communicating with their audience to desist from the act of hate speech; in addition to educating all non-religious organisations on the effect of hate speech. SDDC also bemoaned the act of vote buying, which it said has denied Nigerians good governance including provision of basic amenities. Speaking at a one-day conference organized for religious leaders by SDDC, the Sarkin Fulani of Lagos, Alhaji Muhammed Bambado, urged religious leaders to use their influence by calling on politicians within their domains to show commitment in curbing electoral violence. The Lagos State House of Assembly Lagos Mainland candidate for All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajani Ibrahim Owolabi, urged politicians to desist from politics of violence and inciting hate speech during campaigns. The Chief Missioner of Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdur-Rahman Ahmad, said fake news and hate speech is a worrisome trend that has bedeviled Nigeria, noting that fighting it has become a matter of urgency.

Source: The Guardian February 01, 2019 02:37 UTC