The Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) has cautioned Conveners and organizers of ‘RevolutionNow’ on the use of hyperbolic and sensational words as they may be interpreted otherwise thereby heightening the already tense situation in the country.
Executive Secretary of the Centre, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (Rtd), who gave the warning in Abuja, said the tension and restiveness generated by the deteriorating conflict trends are further aggravated by the prevalent hate speeches and resentful communication in the polity.
This is just as the Centre noted that conflict trends analysis for the first half of 2019 revealed an upswing in internal security challenges in several parts of Nigeria.
It specifically said that contemporary security challenges that currently assail the country include terrorism, armed banditry, kidnapping, herders/farmers clash, ethno-religious conflict, separatist agitation, rape, cattle rustling, human trafficking, drug addiction, ritual killing and cyber-crime/internet fraud (Yahoo Yahoo).
According to Anas; “This is a dangerous development which if not well managed and timely too, could spark off national crisis with far reaching consequences.”
The statement further states that the Centre will not question the right to peaceful protest by individuals or groups, the process must be done in tandem with constitutional provisions.
Anas further said; “Sensational and hyperbolic words such as ‘RevolutionNow’ if loosely used, will no doubt be misinterpreted thereby heightening tensions and heating up the polity.
“There is the need on the part of the government and the governed to always exercise restraint in conflict or crisis situation.
“Therefore, we do not call for revolution in the current democratic setting in Nigeria. We call on all well-meaning individuals, groups, state and non-state actors to see this unwarranted and surreptitious call as a serious threat to our nascent democracy.”
The Centre also condemned what t described as the growing toxic narrative that is purveyed in the country especially in the social media which tends to demonize the Fulanis, pitching them against others.
It noted that the orchestrated effort to criminalize the Fulani ethnic group is unacceptable, and therefore rejects the unfortunate narrative that collectively demonizes them as inherently evil and therefore guilty of whatever crime is attributed to them.
The Centre further said that there are criminals in every ethnic group adding that all crimes should be dealt with accordingly.
It also notes with great concern that a section of the media has succeeded in giving every criminal and potential ones the use of Fulani alibi as a cover, stressing that ethnic profiling is dangerous to the society as the endpoint is ethnic cleansing.
The centre therefore called on the Government not sit aside and watch while toxic media flourish in the airwaves, adding that Nigerians, particularly media practitioners and operators of various social media handlers need to be reminded of the dangers of unidirectional stories.
