President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed worry over hate speech that is still dominating the social media in the country.“Our attention is increasingly being focused on cyber-crimes and the abuse of technology through hate speech and other divisive material being propagated on social media.
“Whilst we uphold the Constitutional rights of our people to freedom of expression and association, where the purported exercise of these rights infringes on the rights of other citizens or threatens to undermine our National Security, we will take firm and decisive action.”
President Buhari, in a nationwide broadcast today, October 1 to commemorate the nation’s 59th Independence Anniversary, reiterated his call for all to exercise restraint, tolerance and mutual respect in airing their grievances and frustrations.
He said that whilst the ongoing national discourse on various political and religious issues is healthy and welcome, Nigerians should not forget the lessons of their past, which are lessons that are most relevant on a day such as this.
“The path of hatred and distrust only leads to hostility and destruction. I believe that the vast majority of Nigerians would rather tread the path of peace and prosperity, as we continue to uphold and cherish our unity.”
