Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, said on Thursday urged politicians to stop hate speeches, adding that it would undermine the country’s electoral process and democracy.
Fashola said this when a delegation of the Council of the Wise, led by its Coordinator, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari paid him a courtesy visit in Lagos.
He said efforts must be made to stop the ugly trend, and to institute a means of holding politicians accountable for not only their actions but that of their supporters as well.
“The only way to hold politicians accountable is not only for what is done by them but that also done on their behalf,” he said.
The governor said it was important for candidates of political parties at all levels to always disassociate themselves from hate speeches and actions capable of disrupting the peace.
“When thugs begin to terrorise people on the street, the candidate should be able to disown actions of such persons. We are helping to promote violence by allowing hate speeches by politicians,” he said.
The governor also stressed that those seeking for political offices must regard their quest as a call to serve the people not their vested interest.
On the use of card readers, he said that jettisoning it would be unfair to Nigerians when so much money had been spent on its procurement.
Also speaking, Gambari accused some politicians of making “irresponsible speeches” that could undermine the unity of the country.
Gambari called on religious, traditional and other critical leaders to support efforts aimed at promoting peaceful elections in the country.
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