The United Nations condemned the killings during the Kogi State governorship election. It also said it supported measures taken by the government to check hate speech, but not the death penalty.
The UN’s Deputy Secretary-General, Ms Amina Mohammed, told State House correspondents in Abuja that the global body commended President Muhmmadu Buhari for condemning the loss of lives in Kogi State.
She also stated that the President took the appropriate step by calling for an investigation into the killings that took place in Kogi State.
Mohammed stated, “ (On) The recent loss of lives in politics of Kogi State, we commended Mr President for condemning the killings and asking for investigation.”
She said hate speech had become a major issue, which countries could introduce measures to check.
Mohammed, who was reacting to a question on the bill before the Nigerian Senate, which proposed death penalty for hate speech, noted that the UN would not subscribe to killing offenders as punishment.
She said it was a good development that the sponsor of the bill, later deleted the death penalty from the bill.
Mohammed said, “Measures and checks taken that will reduce hate speech are supported. However, we are not in support of the death penalty, and we are happy that the sponsor of the bill has taken that provision out of it”, Mohammed stated.
Mohammed said she visited Nigeria to express the appreciation of the Secretary-General, Mr António Guterres, to the Nigerian President.