Kano at a Crossroads: Ending the Politics of Hate, Thuggery and Social Media Anarchy
By Bala Salihu Dawakin KuduDemocracy Newsline – Northern Bureau Chief
August 7, 2026
Kano State stands today at a defining moment in its political history. For generations, it has been celebrated as Northern Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, an intellectual powerhouse, and a bastion of Islamic scholarship and Hausa culture. It is a society united by a common language, shared traditions, and deeply rooted religious values that preach justice, honesty, compassion, and respect for human dignity.
Yet, despite these enviable advantages, Kano is increasingly becoming synonymous with a disturbing culture of political intolerance, hate campaigns, character assassination, and violent political rivalry. What should be healthy democratic competition has gradually degenerated into a contest of insults, propaganda, misinformation, and personal attacks. The state’s political landscape is becoming dangerously polarized, while social media, radio platforms, and political gatherings have become arenas where reputations are destroyed with reckless abandon.
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Democracy flourishes where ideas compete—not where insults replace arguments, falsehood replaces facts, and intimidation replaces constructive engagement. Political opponents are not enemies of the state; they are fellow citizens exercising their constitutional rights.
Unfortunately, recent years have witnessed an alarming rise in inflammatory statements directed at prominent political figures across party lines. Whether directed at serving officials, former governors, senators, or opposition leaders, allegations capable of damaging reputations should never be made carelessly or without credible evidence. Public accountability is essential in a democracy, but accountability must always be pursued through facts, due process, and the rule of law—not through rumour, social media campaigns, or public humiliation.
Perhaps the greatest irony in Kano’s political culture is that many supporters condemn abusive language only when it targets their own political leaders, while applauding similar attacks against their opponents. Such selective outrage has created a vicious cycle in which today’s victim becomes tomorrow’s aggressor, further poisoning the political atmosphere.
No invention has transformed political communication more than social media. It has given ordinary citizens an unprecedented voice and strengthened democratic participation. Unfortunately, in Kano, some digital platforms have also become fertile grounds for fake news, cyberbullying, blackmail, hate speech, ethnic and religious insults, and coordinated attacks on public figures and private citizens alike.
Young people who should be using technology for education, innovation, entrepreneurship, and national development are increasingly being recruited into online propaganda networks where abuse is rewarded, lies are amplified, and character assassination is celebrated as political activism.
The internet never forgets. A defamatory post published today may continue to haunt individuals, families, and communities decades into the future. Digital footprints survive long after elections have ended and even after those involved have passed away.
If society fails to confront this dangerous trend, the next generation may grow up believing that insults are a legitimate form of political participation.
Radio remains one of the most trusted and influential sources of information in Kano State. Its reach extends into every community, making it a powerful instrument for education, civic engagement, and democratic accountability.
Political programmes should encourage informed debate rather than verbal warfare. Broadcasters, presenters, producers, and station owners must insist on professionalism, fact-checking, fairness, and civility. Freedom of expression should never be interpreted as freedom to defame, incite violence, or spread falsehood.
Media houses that knowingly provide platforms for irresponsible speech risk undermining public confidence in journalism itself, Political Leaders Must Accept Responsibility It would be dishonest to discuss Kano’s toxic political environment without acknowledging the role played by some political actors.
Many of the young men who dominate online abuse and street-level political violence did not emerge in isolation. Too often, they are recruited, financed, encouraged, or protected by politicians seeking short-term political advantage.
During election seasons, inflammatory speeches become common, while loyal supporters are encouraged to view opponents as enemies rather than competitors.
True political leadership is demonstrated not by how effectively one attacks opponents, but by how responsibly one inspires followers. Every political party should establish and enforce a code of conduct prohibiting hate speech, incitement, political violence, and online harassment.
Across metropolitan Kano, clashes involving rival youth groups have repeatedly claimed lives, destroyed businesses, injured innocent residents, and disrupted economic activities. Behind many of these confrontations lies a familiar pattern: unemployed youths manipulated by political interests, supplied with resources during election periods, and abandoned once political objectives have been achieved.
Families lose loved ones. Businesses suffer losses. Communities live in fear. Investors become reluctant to expand. Young people lose opportunities that could have transformed their futures.
A lasting solution requires sustained investment in education, vocational training, youth employment, sports development, entrepreneurship, rehabilitation programmes for drug users, community policing, and stronger collaboration between government, traditional rulers, religious institutions, parents, schools, and civil society organizations.
The Kano State Government deserves commendation for strengthening efforts against drug abuse through collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), security agencies, and community-based organizations. Since substance abuse frequently fuels violent behaviour and political thuggery, these initiatives deserve continued support and expansion.
Similarly, the Kano State Police Command should continue receiving public cooperation in combating violent crimes and dismantling criminal gangs operating across the metropolitan area.
The Kano State House of Assembly, working with the National Assembly where appropriate, should initiate discussions on laws that discourage online defamation, cyberbullying, coordinated misinformation, identity manipulation, and incitement to violence while remaining fully consistent with the Constitution and the protection of fundamental rights.
Such legislation should prioritize digital literacy, encourage responsible online engagement, strengthen accountability for malicious falsehoods, protect minors from harmful content, and provide clear legal remedies for victims of serious online abuse.
However, lawmakers must also ensure that any reforms do not become instruments for suppressing legitimate journalism, peaceful dissent, or lawful criticism of government. The challenge is to strike the right balance between protecting freedom of expression and protecting citizens from malicious abuse.
History will not remember politicians for the insults exchanged during campaigns. It will remember those who built institutions, united communities, expanded opportunities, protected lives, and strengthened democracy.
Kano has produced distinguished scholars, respected jurists, accomplished journalists, visionary entrepreneurs, and nationally admired statesmen. Their achievements were built on knowledge, integrity, discipline, and service—not on hatred, violence, or character assassination.
Political contests will always come and go. Governments will change. Parties will rise and fall. But Kano will remain home to millions whose shared identity is greater than any political rivalry.
Every stakeholder has a role to play. Politicians must reject divisive rhetoric. Media organizations must uphold professional ethics. Parents must guide their children. Religious and traditional leaders must continue preaching peace and tolerance. Civil society must promote responsible civic engagement. Citizens themselves must refuse to become instruments of hatred and misinformation.
The future of Kano cannot be built on insults. It cannot be secured through political thuggery. It cannot be sustained by fake news and social media abuse.
The time has come to restore decency to public discourse, civility to politics, accountability to leadership, and dignity to democratic engagement.
Only then can Kano reclaim its position as a model of peace, scholarship, tolerance, and responsible leadership—not only in Northern Nigeria, but across the nation.
Wrote by Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu Democracy Newsline Newspaper Email balasalihudawakinkudu@gmail.com, +2348060017934
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER 7TH AUGUST, 2026)
