January 30, (THEWILL) – Ahead of the February 25 national elections in Nigeria, the United Nations (UN) has expressed serious concerns over the rise in fake news as well as religious and ethnic hate speeches.
Deputy Secretary General of the UN, Amina Muhammed, expressed these reservations on Monday, in her keynote address at the open plenary sessions of the State of the Nation Dialogue organised by the Nigerian Bar Association.
Speaking via a live broadcast on the 2023 elections in Nigeria, Muhammed said the UN “continues to witness attacks on electoral institutions, fake news, hate speeches based on religious and ethnic identities since the political campaigns began.”
She maintained that the UN’s common objective is to ensure credible, free and fair elections in Nigeria.
Mrs Muhammed commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for achieving great strides in increasing the credibility and transparency of the Nigerian electoral process.
“The increase in the registration of voters is encouraging and shows Nigerians are enthusiastic about the electoral process,” she said.
Muhammed appreciated the NBA for organising the dialogue, saying the “importance of this forum cannot be underestimated.”
The UN official advised that Nigerian political leaders must be ready to develop the country and encourage an inclusive, fair and just society.
“The only option for our nation to survive is sustainable development. Society must be inclusive,” she said, explaining that the number of women vying for office continues to be in decline.
Muhammed urged the next presidency to increase the number of women in government as it is obtained in other parts of the world.
She said there was need to build strong institutions, recognise the indispensable role of the judiciary and ensure the rule of law.
In his welcome address, the NBA President, Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, said the association’s primary call is to serve the course of justice.
He said the NBA invited all the presidential candidates to the dialogue because they, including lawyers, owe Nigerians leadership and interaction.
On his part, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, advised the next president of Nigeria to focus on doing his part in taking Nigeria to greater heights.
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