Linus Aleke in Abuja
Nigeria recorded the loss of no fewer than 137 lives and 57 abductions linked to electoral violence within a short period, a new report by Global Rights Nigeria has revealed.
The Civil Society Organisation (CSO) disclosed that these incidents occurred between December 20, 2022, and March 20, 2023, underscoring the persistent threat to peaceful democratic processes in the country.
Beyond the physical violence, the group highlighted a deeper and more entrenched issue—the weaponisation of identity-based hate speech and fake news.
According to Global Rights, this trend has existed since Nigeria’s colonial era but has worsened significantly due to widespread impunity and increased access to social media platforms.
The report further noted that over the last three general election —2015, 2019, and 2023 — as well as off-cycle polls, the spread of hate speech and misinformation has intensified.
This escalation has been driven by advancements in technology, particularly the growing influence of artificial intelligence and digital communication tools.
In its latest report titled: “Disarming the Weapon of Lies and Hate: Countering the Weaponisation of Identity-Based Hate and Fake News in Nigeria’s Elections,” Global Rights stressed that electoral violence did not begin on election day. Instead, it evolved gradually through the narratives people promoted and believed.
“We often think electoral violence starts on election day. It doesn’t. It starts with what we say, share, and choose to believe. Over time, those words shape our choices, our divisions, and our future.
“Data from the Incident Centre for Election Atrocities (ICEA) reinforced these findings. It showed that within the review period, at least 137 election-related killings and 57 abductions were recorded nationwide.
“Notably, election days themselves—February 25 and March 18, 2023—accounted for 38 politically motivated killings and 27 abductions,” it added.
As early conversations around the 2027 general election began to surface, the report warned that peaceful and credible elections could not be taken for granted.
It emphasised the need for strong institutions, capable security agencies, informed citizens, and a shared commitment to rejecting violence, intolerance, and misinformation.
The organisation also pointed out that Nigeria’s diverse ethnic and religious composition makes it particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of fake news and hate speech.
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