The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) says it is deeply concerned with the inflammatory remarks made by the Special Adviser to Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State, Northwest Nigeria, Mr Murtala Hamza Buhari Bakwana.
The adviser was caught in a viral video angrily insulting his political opponents and commanding thugs to attack them.
Bakwana had spoken at a reconciliation meeting of All Progressive Congress (APC) over disagreements between him and some local party officials.
His speech sparked violence among party members and one of the party elders was stabbed by the thugs.
The non-profit which has been monitoring and countering hate and dangerous speeches in Nigeria, described the adviser’s speech as inflammatory.
“The ‘call to action’ remarks seen and analysed by CITAD’s Dangerous Speech project team are highly inflammatory, and it is sad that the remarks have resulted in violence, we strongly condemn this act of threatening peace and promoting violence,” the organisation stated.
The organisation urged Ganduje to take necessary action on the adviser for triggering violence, stressing that making such dangerous speech would open a door for similar inflammatory remarks by politicians in the state.
“We want to commend the Nigeria Police Force, Zone 1, Kano, for its swift intervention in the matter. This has no doubt helped tame further escalation of unrest in particularly, the area the political gathering took place,” CITAD stated.
“Actions like this should continue without fear or favour.
“Politicians, whether occupying political offices or not should be reminded that inciting remarks and comments can shatter societies as such they should always mind what they say or do regardless of political differences,” the organisation added.
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