Hate Speech and Psychic Injury: Reflections on Nigeria's 2015 Elections
Chris M. A. Kwaja, Ph.D; Dr. Aishatu Yusha’u Armiya’u

Abstract
In the run up to the 2015 elections, Nigeria the witnessed an alarming surge in hate speeches that were deliberately designed to inflict injuries on individuals and political parties. Through speech, broadly understood to include print and electronic media, as well as public speaking, group targeted violence were perpetrated. This paper examines the link between hate speech and psychic injury in terms of how it influenced voter behaviour and electoral outcome in the run up to the 2015 elections. The paper argues that the instrumentalisation of hate speech as a tool for the mobilisation of support for politicians and political parties, contributed significantly in sowing the seed of disharmony in a country where political affiliations and loyalty are viewed along religious and ethno-regional faultlines.

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