By Theresa Moses
Institutional failure is emerging as the leading reason linked to hate speech ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, accounting for 45.45 per cent of monitored observations, according to the latest #TrackingNaija2027Elections data by CEREDEMS-Africa.
The analysis of 11 observations from Nigerian newspapers between 2024 and 2026, alongside social media and broadcast media monitored in 2026, identified institutional failure, political exclusion, political violence, intimidation and security threats as key themes associated with hate speech.
Political exclusion and political violence each accounted for 18.18 per cent, while intimidation and security threats recorded 9.09 per cent each.
The findings indicate that negative political narratives are not limited to attacks on individual opponents. They also reflect concerns and perceptions surrounding institutions responsible for managing the electoral process.
CEREDEMS-Africa, in collaboration with the RUDN University Institute of Geopolitical Communications, said hate speech can discourage some citizens from participating in political and electoral activities, with potential implications for inclusion and democratic participation.
The organisation urged electoral stakeholders—including INEC, political parties, media organisations, civil society groups and security agencies—to strengthen voter education, institutional accountability and transparency, while applying existing measures against hate speech.
As political activity builds towards 2027, the monitoring underscores the importance of identifying harmful narratives early and addressing the underlying issues around trust, participation and political competition.
The #TrackingNaija2027Elections project is tracking electoral risks and inclusion across multiple areas, including governance, security, information integrity, peace and justice, artificial intelligence and elections, and inclusive participation.
Data Source: Nigerian Newspapers, 2024–2026; Social Media, 2026; Nigerian Broadcast Media, 2026.
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