AN ANALYSIS OF HATE SPEECH DISCOURSE IN POLITICAL CAMPAIGN SONGS DURING THE 2023 ELECTION IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examines the discourse of hate speech in political campaign songs used during the 2023 elections in Benue State, Nigeria. The research is anchored on Tajfel and Turner’s Social Identity Theory, which provides a framework for analyzing how political actors use hate speech to categorize and maintain social identities. The study adopted a case study design and employed purposive sampling to select relevant data. Data were sourced through secondary means by transcribing audio recordings of campaign songs from the APC and PDP. Findings reveal that hate speech is a dominant feature of political campaign discourse in Benue State, reinforcing negative stereotypes and deepening social divisions. The songs extensively employ social categorization and stereotyping, fostering an “us versus them” mentality that sustains the normalization of hate speech among party supporters. The study concludes that hate speech in campaign songs poses serious threats, including political polarization, incitement to violence, and the erosion of democratic values.