The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has revealed that about 22 incidents of hate speeches were reported during the just concluded general elections in Nigeria.
Presenting the report on Tuesday Project Coordinator of Mobilising Voters for Election (MOVE) of the NHRC, Mr. Hilary Ogbonna, also noted the level of human rights violations associated with the elections.
Ogbonna pointed out human rights violations during the March 18 polls and voter suppression were recorded in Lagos, Rivers, Imo, Ebonyi and Bayelsa States.
‘The right to freedom of association were violated in Ebonyi and Lagos, Right to dignity of human persons in Lagos, Edo, Delta, Benue. The right to participation was also violated in Lagos, Oyo, Rivers while voting related killings were recorded in Ebonyi, Kano, Lagos, Borno,’ he said.
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Ogbonna said the situation room records showed that there were two bomb attacks in Kaduna and Benue in the March governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections.
He disclosed that 75 INEC facilities were attacked and 130 unknown gunmen and bandits incidents in several parts of the country.
Ogbonna further said there were three reports of political intolerance and killing of six law enforcement agents.
The project is organised in collaboration with the UN Human Rights resident in Nigeria , Ford foundation, and the Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP).
The commission on October 17, 2023, inaugurated the project which according to the Executive Secretary, Mr. Tony Ojukwu was initiated to tackle voter apathy.
The commission had last week revealed that it had concluded plans to invite Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and the Chairman of Lagos State Parks Management Committee, Musiliu Akinsanya, alias MC Oluomo, over their recent alleged inciting comments amid the general elections.
Africa Today News, New York had earlier reported that less than 24 hours ahead of the presidential and National Assembly elections held on February 25, Bello reportedly ordered bulldozers to demarcate a road linking Kogi Central Senatorial District.