Hate Speeches and Disrespect for the Opposition Parties in Nigeria: Implications for Democratic Consolidation and National Development

Abstract

A major “display” of party politics especially in this democratic dispensation is characterized with the use of verbal arsenals (hate speeches) against the opposition party. Never in the history of Nigeria has this level of verbal disrespect been experienced. There is no gainsaying the negative effects of hate speeches heating up the polity and sowing seeds of disunity. This paper therefore examines the politics of hate speeches and disrespect for opposition parties and the implication for democratic consolidation and national development in Nigeria. It is therefore the opinion of this work that hate speeches and disrespect for the opposition parties are factors hindering the success of elections in recent times and consequently impeded democratic consolidation and national development/integration. This further threatens the continued existence of the Nigerian state. It is on the above premise this paper recommends a legal check on hate speeches to foster democratic consolidation and national integration. Content analysis was used both as an instrument of data collection and analysis.