By Joseph Edeh

Conference of Benue Journalists (CBJ) has called on politicians and political parties in Benue to refrain from hate speech, inflammatory rhetoric and campaigns that exploit ethnic, religious or personal grievances, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group stated this in a statement issued by its President, Dr Anule Emmanuel, on Sunday in Abuja.

It urged political actors to shift the focus of campaigns toward governance, accountability policy and development.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that CBJ, an association of journalists of Benue origin, said the state’s increasingly charged political environment required restraint, issue-based debate and respect for its diverse communities.

It warned that campaigns built on division could undermine peaceful coexistence and discourage voter participation.

“Political competition should be about ideas, policies, leadership capacity and the future of Benue, not the exploitation of ethnic, religious or other sentiments to gain electoral advantage,” the group said.

According to CBJ, the 2027 elections should provide parties and candidates with opportunities to present their records, policy proposals and plans for addressing the state’s development challenges.

It argued that political attention should centre on issues affecting citizens’ daily lives, rather than hostilities and personal attacks.

While acknowledging the fact that political disagreement was inevitable in a democracy, the organisation, however, said it must remain within the bounds of civility, mutual respect and the rule of law.

“Those seeking public office must recognise that their words and actions carry consequences beyond election campaigns.

“They have a responsibility to promote unity, protect peaceful coexistence and demonstrate the maturity expected of people aspiring to lead,” it stated.

The group urged political parties, candidates, campaign organisations and supporters to avoid unsubstantiated allegations, incitement and statements likely to provoke hostility among communities.

“Politicians and political leaders must take steps to discourage their supporters from using social media to spread divisive messages, misinformation or attacks on opponents,” it added.

According to CBJ, the strength of democracy lies not in the intensity of political rivalry, but in the ability of competing interests to debate peacefully and accept the judgment of the electorate.

It appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations and other influential figures to promote tolerance and press political actors to conduct campaigns responsibly.

CBJ  reaffirmed the role of professional media in elections, urging journalists to uphold accuracy, fairness and balance, while resisting efforts to use media platforms to amplify hate speech or partisan propaganda.

The group, while expressing its commitment to responsible public discourse and democratic values, said that Benue’s collective interest, peace and development should take precedence over individual political ambitions.(NAN)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq