Special adviser to the president on media and publicity Femi Adesina says churches and mosques and a part of the media are to blame for the unrest in the country.
In his Friday article titled ‘If Nigeria Dies, Hatred Killed Her’, Mr Adesina alleged the aforementioned groups have been promoting hate.
“The EndSARS campaign began as an agitation against police brutality, in which there was unanimity of purpose,” he wrote.
“And suddenly, it became a vehicle of hate. Against leadership, against national cohesion, an opportunity to settle political scores, and equally prepare for power grab in 2023. Hatred came into the mix.”
He added: “When things boil over in graphic demonstration of hatred, it is a culmination of negative sentiments and tendencies. They come in persistent negative postings on social media, which generate and stimulate hate.
“From hateful messages from the pulpit, as if that was the message of love Jesus Christ handed over to his followers. From unduly critical messages during jumat services. From radio and television programs, in which bile is spewed. From talk shows which become a harangue of government, newspaper articles and columns tailored to instigate and generate dissent, and the like.
“Eventually, all cumulate in hatred, which finds expression in genuine causes like the EndSARS campaign. When things boil over, they leave sorrow, tears and blood in their wake, as we have seen. And who suffers? The whole country. Who bleeds? Nigeria.”
Taking another swipe at religious institutions, he wrote, “Hatred is evinced from many quarters for Nigeria, and for its government and people at any given time. It comes from churches, mosques, professional activists and agitators, interest groups, some elements in the media, so-called analysts who never see anything good, and so on and so forth.”
