9th Assembly Distance Itself From Hate Speech Bill

The National Assembly has bow to pressure from various criticisms that has greeted the Hate Speech Bill which passed first reading last week.

The acting spokesperson for the red chamber, Senator Godiya Akwashiki, told newsmen in Abuja, that contrary to widespread impression, the bill was not the idea of the 9th Senate.

He said it was solely being sponsored by the Deputy Chief Whip, Sabi Abdullahi, based on his conviction.

Senator Akwashiki described as unfortunate the statement credited to the Peoples Democratic Party, which insinuated that the bill was a Senate bill, either to islamise Nigeria or skewed to make the alleged third term ambition of President Muhammadu Buhari, a reality

He maintained that the fate of the bill would be determined on the floor of the Senate after a robust debate.

“They would scrutinise it and remove whatever they perceive offensive and insert those that are meant to protect the interest of Nigerians”.

He noted that Mr President has nothing to do with the bill.

“It is the right of a senator to sponsor a private member bill. We also have the executive bill but the hate speech bill before the Senate today is a private senator bill.

Meanwhile, the ex-spokesperson for the Senate who sponsored the bill, Senator Sabi insisted at a news briefing that his proposed legislation was aimed at achieving peace in the country.

“The assumption by some people who think the bill is a ploy to give the current president a third term is laughable and it is a shame on those holding such views because I don’t see how that is related.

He claimed that Nigeria was not the only country affected by the issue of hate speech, adding that there were more than 20 countries that have various laws directly targeting at hate speech.

“Giving the context and happenings within the country, it is time to check this monster that is known as hate speech,” he stated.