BEFORE WORDS BECOME BLOOD
PAT ONUKWULI argues against reckless political and religious rhetoric Some words heal; others leave scars that nations carry for generations. Words can calm a crowd or inflame a mob, bind a
Dr. Pat Onukwuli warns against the dangers of reckless political and religious rhetoric, emphasizing that words can leave lasting scars on nations. He stresses that Nigeria must recognize the potential for inflammatory speech to escalate into violence, especially in a country already facing insecurity, sectarian tensions, and political distrust.
As the nation approaches another election cycle, politicians and religious leaders must remember that their words carry consequences. When influential figures demean religious groups or cast fellow citizens as enemies, disagreements can quickly turn hostile.
Dr. Onukwuli highlights the need for politicians and clerics to prioritize ballots, leadership, and restraint over violence, hatred, and division. He cites examples of harmful statements made by Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir and Senator Francis Fadahunsi, urging the public to condemn such inflammatory rhetoric. He notes that while a cleric is entitled to his political views, religious leaders should not reduce citizenship to a contest between believers and outsiders or use their platforms to incite division.
He emphasizes that social media verdicts should not settle matters and that any alleged offenses should be investigated under the law. The criminal law, he states, draws a clear line between hate speech and incitement, emphasizing that free speech cannot be a shield for threats or incitement. The Electoral Act 2026 also prohibits abusive campaign language, threats of violence, and campaigning along religious, tribal, or sectional lines.
Dr. Onukwuli warns against the notion that "all is fair in politics," stressing that political victory should never be more important than the peace of the nation.
He calls for the government to send a strong message that inflammatory rhetoric, with possible criminal consequences, will be investigated, regardless of the speaker's influence or status. Jingir and Fadahunsi should not be prejudged, but neither should anyone be above the law. The government must ensure that prosecution follows where the evidence meets the legal threshold, allowing the courts to decide guilt.
Ultimately, Nigeria must choose law over lawlessness, ballots over bullets, and citizenship over sectarianism to prevent dangerous words from turning into bloodshed.
Written by urgent.news from This Day's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
