AnambraDecides2025: SIDEC Sounds Alarm on Hate Speech, Fake News as Guber Race Gears Up.
By Raymond Enoch.
As the November 2025 gubernatorial election draws closer in Anambra State, the political temperature is already climbing—but not just with campaign promises and rallies. The Social and Integral Development Centre (SIDEC), a leading non-governmental organization advocating for democracy and inclusive governance, has issued a stern warning to political actors: steer clear of hate speech and disinformation or risk fracturing the fragile democratic fabric of the state.
In a strongly worded statement released on September 9, SIDEC cautioned major contenders, particularly from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), against using inflammatory language and weaponizing fake news to score cheap political points.
> “Hate speech and disinformation/fakenews pose a serious threat to democratic values and social cohesion, undermining the foundation of a stable society,” SIDEC declared.
According to the organization, the political arena must remain a space for ideas, not insults—and warned that unchecked verbal aggression could spiral into electoral violence, voter apathy, or worse, a full-scale breakdown of trust in Anambra’s democratic process.
The Anambra gubernatorial election has long been a high-stakes affair, often characterized by intense rivalry between dominant parties. However, SIDEC noted an emerging trend that is more dangerous than political competition: the calculated spread of fake narratives, doctored media, and ethnically-charged rhetoric circulating widely on social media platforms.
> “The digital age gives everyone a voice, but it must not be used to silence democracy with lies and hatred,” said SIDEC’s Executive Director in the statement.
SIDEC is not just calling out politicians—it is also urging media practitioners, influencers, and the public to resist becoming agents of misinformation. The NGO is advocating for robust media literacy campaigns, fair and balanced reporting, and immediate crackdown on platforms that allow hate speech to thrive unchecked.
The organization’s appeal comes as election monitoring groups prepare for what could be one of the most contentious—and consequential—gubernatorial polls in recent memory.
> “Political maturity is not just about winning elections—it’s about how you win,” SIDEC emphasized, urging candidates to promote unity, not division.
What’s Next?
With less than two months to the polls, all eyes are now on how political parties and their supporters will respond to SIDEC’s warning. Will Anambra’s political class choose the high road—or continue down a path of dangerous rhetoric?
SIDEC has vowed to continue monitoring the political climate and will not hesitate to name and shame violators of democratic principles in the buildup to November’s vote.
As the countdown begins, one message rings clear: peaceful elections begin with responsible speech.
