Zulum’s Communication Aide Bundi Wins National Digital Communication Award
…15 individuals, agencies honoured at 6th National Spokespersons Awards in Abuja

By: Michael Mike

The Senior Technical Assistant to Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, on Print and Digital Communications, Abdurrahman Bundi, has emerged winner of the Digital Communication category at the 2026 National Spokespersons Awards, joining 14 other individuals and institutions honoured for excellence in public communication.

Bundi received the award at the sixth edition of the National Spokespersons Awards, held alongside the fourth Economic Confidential Lecture at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, on Wednesday.

The recognition places the Borno governor’s communications aide among a select group of professionals and institutions acknowledged for demonstrating impact, innovation and effective engagement in an increasingly digital public-information environment.

Other major recipients included the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya; Director of Corporate Communications at the Central Bank of Nigeria, Hakama Sidi-Ali; Nigerian Customs Service; and Federal Road Safety Corps.

The awards ceremony, chaired by the President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr Ike Neliaku, brought together senior government officials, communication professionals and media practitioners.

Chairman of the awards jury, Professor Saudat Abdulbaqi, disclosed that the 2026 edition attracted 171 nominations, reflecting what she described as the growing interest in professional public communication and strategic reputation management.

She said 99 entries successfully passed the initial eligibility screening before undergoing a second stage of intensive evaluation.

The process eventually produced 42 candidates, from whom 30 finalists emerged across 15 award categories.

Abdulbaqi said a seven-member jury assessed the shortlisted entries against four principal benchmarks: impact, innovation and originality, reach, and quality of evidence.

The rigorous selection process, she said, was designed to ensure that recognition was based on demonstrable professional performance rather than popularity or institutional influence.

The National Spokespersons Awards were organised by Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), publishers of PRNigeria, Economic Confidential and Spokespersons Digest.

In his address, IMPR Chief Executive Officer, Alhaji Yusha’u Shuaib, said the awards and the Annual Economic Confidential Lecture were established to encourage informed national discourse, reward excellence and raise the standard of professional communication in Nigeria.

He stressed the importance of effective communication in public administration, particularly at a time when governments and institutions must increasingly communicate policies and respond to citizens across rapidly evolving traditional and digital platforms.

The recognition of Bundi in the Digital Communication category highlights the growing importance of digital platforms in government communication and public engagement.

The ceremony attracted prominent figures from Nigeria’s information, public relations, government and security communication sectors.

Among those present was the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Baba Ndace, who represented the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.

Also in attendance were former Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade (rtd.), Professor Sule Ya’u Sule, and other senior communication and public relations professionals.

The organisers said the awards were intended not merely to celebrate individual achievements but also to encourage a culture of evidence-based, innovative and responsible communication across Nigeria’s public and private sectors.

Bundi’s award therefore adds to the growing recognition of strategic communication as an essential component of modern governance, particularly in an era where the speed, reach and influence of digital information can significantly shape public understanding of government policies and programmes.

Zulum’s Communication Aide Bundi Wins National Digital Communication Award
…15 individuals, agencies honoured at 6th National Spokespersons Awards in Abuja

Osun Poll: Rights Group Demands Protection for Accord Members, Probe of ‘Killing’ Claim

…SOJA warns against political violence, urges security agencies to act before Saturday’s governorship election

By: Michael Mike

A human rights and anti-corruption advocacy group, Speak Out for Justice Advocacy Ltd/GTE (SOJA), has called for immediate protection of political actors and voters in Osun State following an alleged call for the killing of members of the Accord Party ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

SOJA, in a statement issued on Thursday, demanded a thorough and impartial investigation into a video allegedly showing Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, making comments at a political gathering in Ilesa that could be interpreted as urging supporters to kill Accord Party members before the election.

The organisation, however, acknowledged the senator’s subsequent appearance at the police invitation and his denial that he called for anyone to be physically killed.

According to SOJA, Fadahunsi explained that his use of the word “killing” was intended to mean defeating his political opponents with votes.

The rights group said it would not prejudge the outcome of the police inquiry, stressing that the authenticity, context and meaning of the controversial statement must be objectively established by competent authorities.

It nevertheless warned that the senator’s explanation could not, on its own, eliminate the need for investigation, particularly given the heightened political atmosphere in Osun ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.

“Where words capable of being reasonably understood as a call to violence against identifiable political opponents are publicly uttered in an atmosphere of political tension, the State has a responsibility to investigate the circumstances thoroughly and to take reasonable measures to prevent the words from translating into violence,” SOJA said.

The organisation warned political parties and their supporters against turning electoral competition into a struggle involving intimidation, bloodshed or physical attacks.

It stressed that political contests in a constitutional democracy should be decided through ideas, policies, campaigns and ultimately the ballot box.

“No political party owns Nigeria. No politician owns Osun State. No political office confers a licence to threaten, intimidate, assault or kill political opponents,” the group said.

SOJA also rejected the notion that political opponents should be treated as enemies, insisting that membership of Accord or any other political party cannot deprive a Nigerian of the protection of the law.

The group said the State has a responsibility not only to investigate violence after it occurs but also to take preventive measures where there is a credible risk to lives.

With the election only days away, SOJA urged security agencies to intensify intelligence-led operations in identified political flashpoints across Osun State.

It called for equal protection for members and supporters of Accord, APC, PDP and all other legally recognised political parties, warning against selective enforcement or the use of security agencies to intimidate opposition supporters.

The organisation also urged authorities to ensure that no citizen is prevented by threats, violence or coercion from attending political meetings, associating with political parties or casting a ballot.

“Government must not wait until a political supporter is killed before taking the risk seriously,” SOJA said.

The advocacy group called on the Federal Government, Osun State Government, Nigeria Police Force, other security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a comprehensive examination of the controversial video.

It specifically asked investigators to establish the source and authenticity of the recording, examine the complete footage and surrounding statements, and determine whether any offence was committed under applicable Nigerian law.

Where evidence establishes criminal conduct, SOJA said, prosecution should follow in accordance with due process.

It also demanded that the investigation be conducted without political interference, intimidation or selective application of the law.

The organisation drew attention to provisions of the Electoral Act relating to inflammatory campaign language and threats of violence, arguing that the reported statement should be assessed within the context of the electoral laws and other applicable legislation.

SOJA separately appealed to Fadahunsi, as a serving senator, to make an unequivocal public declaration rejecting political violence.

It urged him to publicly state that he neither supports nor condones the killing, assault, intimidation or harassment of Accord Party members or any Nigerian because of political affiliation.

“If his assertion that he meant ‘kill them with votes’ represents the true meaning of his words, then SOJA urges him to state this clearly and publicly and to encourage his supporters to defeat their political opponents only through lawful democratic means and the ballot box,” the group said.

The rights organisation also appealed to all parties and their supporters to exercise restraint, warning against retaliation and political thuggery.

“No perceived provocation justifies revenge. No electoral ambition justifies murder. No political office is worth a human life. No election victory is worth the destruction of Osun State,” it said.

SOJA maintained that its condemnation of political violence was not targeted at any particular party, stressing that the lives of Nigerians should not be valued according to political affiliation.

“We condemn the killing of APC members. We condemn the killing of Accord Party members. We condemn the killing of PDP members. We condemn the killing of supporters of every political party,” it said.

The group urged political leaders to recognise that inflammatory statements could have consequences beyond their immediate audience, particularly when repeated by supporters or interpreted as instructions by political thugs.

SOJA called on political actors to ensure that the August 15 election is conducted in an atmosphere where voters can move freely, express their preferences without fear and participate in the democratic process without intimidation.

It urged security agencies to remain politically neutral and protect citizens rather than political interests.

“The forthcoming Osun Governorship Election must be an exercise in democracy, not a theatre of violence,” the organisation said.

“Political leaders must compete for votes, not lives. Security agencies must protect citizens, not political interests. Law enforcement must investigate credible threats before they become tragedies.”

The group appealed for the people of Osun State to reject violence and allow the ballot to determine the next governor.

“Let the votes decide. Let the law prevail. Let every citizen live.” The group stated.

Osun Poll: Rights Group Demands Protection for Accord Members, Probe of ‘Killing’ Claim

NHRC Warns: Hate Speech Could Turn 2027 Elections Into Violence, Chaos

By: Michael Mike

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a stark warning that escalating hate speech, intimidation, incitement and divisive political rhetoric could plunge Nigeria into violence and chaos ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Commission said on Thursday that inflammatory statements by political and public figures were increasingly threatening human dignity, peaceful coexistence and citizens’ right to participate freely in the democratic process.

Speaking at a press conference at the NHRC headquarters in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu, said Nigeria must act decisively before dangerous rhetoric translates into violence.

Ojukwu specifically cited statements attributed to Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir and Senator Francis Fadahunsi, saying the Commission considered some of the comments to have crossed “the red line for decency” and to have the potential to denigrate individuals or groups, deepen divisions and heighten tensions.

He stressed, however, that the intervention was not targeted at any political party, religious organisation, ethnic group or individual, but was a human-rights response designed to protect the dignity and equal worth of Nigerians.

“Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right. However, freedom of expression carries responsibilities,” Ojukwu said, warning that the right did not constitute a licence to incite violence, promote hatred, dehumanise others or deliberately provoke hostility against individuals or communities.

The NHRC boss warned that hate speech must not be dismissed as ordinary political rhetoric, arguing that language portraying people or communities as enemies, inferior, dangerous or undeserving of protection could fuel discrimination, exclusion, intimidation and violence.

According to him, the consequences could include attacks on political opponents and voters, restrictions on civic participation, displacement and insecurity, deepening ethnic and religious tensions, and a loss of public confidence in democratic institutions.

Ojukwu invoked the painful lessons of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, noting that sustained propaganda, denigration, dehumanisation and incitement could create an environment in which discrimination and violence become increasingly acceptable.

While stressing that Nigeria was not Rwanda, he said the lesson from history was universal and should compel authorities and citizens to confront dangerous narratives before they escalated.

“The situation, if unchecked, could escalate circumstances into uncontrolled violence and chaos. God forbid,” he said.

He maintained that prevention was a fundamental human-rights obligation and that government had the primary responsibility under national and international law to prevent violence and protect citizens.

The Commission therefore called for early identification of dangerous narratives, responsible public communication and lawful accountability for those who cross established legal boundaries.

With the 2027 elections approaching, the NHRC urged political actors to ensure that campaigns revolve around policies, programmes, competence and records of service rather than ethnic hostility, religious antagonism and personal attacks.

The Commission warned that unchecked divisive rhetoric could intimidate voters, suppress political participation and trigger violence before, during and after the elections.

It also cautioned that communities that feel targeted or threatened could become vulnerable to insecurity and displacement, while prolonged political hostility could leave lasting social fractures long after the elections have ended.

Ojukwu said the protection of human rights and prevention of election-related violence must consequently be treated as complementary objectives.

The NHRC called on political parties to rein in their members and strengthen internal mechanisms for preventing and sanctioning inflammatory and intimidating rhetoric.

Religious, traditional and community leaders were similarly urged to use their influence to promote tolerance, peace and mutual respect rather than hatred, violence and division.

The Commission also placed responsibility on the media, warning journalists and media organisations against becoming channels for amplifying inflammatory statements.

It urged the media to maintain professional and ethical standards and ensure that potentially harmful content was reported with context, verification and proper public-interest considerations.

Social media users and digital platforms, the Commission added, must also exercise greater responsibility, particularly in verifying information before sharing material capable of provoking hostility or violence.

Law enforcement agencies were urged to respond appropriately to credible cases involving incitement, threats, intimidation and other unlawful conduct, while ensuring that investigations and prosecutions comply with the Constitution, due process and fundamental rights.

The NHRC also appealed directly to young Nigerians, particularly those active on social media, not to allow themselves to become instruments for spreading misinformation and inflammatory content.

Ojukwu said every Nigerian had a role to play in preventing election-related violence, insisting that responsibility could not be left solely to government and security agencies.

“To our political leaders, we say: compete on ideas, programmes, competence and your record of service—not on hatred or division,” he said.

He urged religious and traditional leaders to build bridges, while asking the media to inform the public without becoming an amplifier of hatred or incitement.

The Commission said it would continue monitoring developments, documenting human-rights concerns and engaging stakeholders throughout the electoral cycle.

It also pledged to deploy its statutory powers to promote and protect human rights and advocate a human-rights-based electoral process centred on the dignity, safety, equality and participation of every Nigerian.

Ojukwu delivered a final warning that captured the Commission’s central message: “We must act before rhetoric becomes violence. We must promote dialogue before division becomes conflict. And we must protect human dignity before violations become irreversible.”

He called on Nigerians to preserve the country’s diversity as a source of strength rather than a trigger for conflict.

“Let us disagree without dehumanising one another. Let us compete without destroying one another. Let us campaign without inciting one another. And let us protect the Nigeria we all share,” he said.

NHRC Warns: Hate Speech Could Turn 2027 Elections Into Violence, Chaos