I would have opposed hate speech bill, if I were in Senate - Ex-senator Umeh declares
- Ex-senator Victor Umeh has kicked against hate speech bill
- The former lawmaker said the bill would gag Nigerians
- Umeh, however, said he would have opposed the bill if he is currently a member of the ninth NASS
The lawmaker who represented Anambra central senatorial district at the red chamber during the eighth National Assembly, Victor Umeh, has kicked against the proposed hate speech bill currently before the Senate.
Senator who spoke with Daily Trust on the sidelines of the 60th anniversary of Bubendorf Grammar School Adazi-Nnukwu in Anaocha, described the bill as an attempt to gag Nigerians.
Legit.ng gathered that he said the bill, if it eventually becomes law, would not work because it does not have a comprehensive definition of hate speech.
"I’m no longer in the Senate, but if I am still in Senate, I will oppose it because such a bill is an attempt to gag Nigerians and deny them the freedom of speech. There is no clear definition of what constitutes hate speech.
“The hate speech is amorphous word and what constitutes hate speech is not clear. Is hate speech when somebody says the government is not doing well, or when somebody complains about the actions of leaders,” he asked.
Source: UGC
According to him, the only thing that could remove hate speech in the system is when things are done properly, equitably and fair to all.
Umeh said if someone feels marginalised and neglected by the system and voices out his/her pains, will the person be charged for hate speech?
He said people tend to use harsh words on those in authority because they are aggrieved and have lost confidence in those in government and nobody can stop them from using harsh words.
Umeh said that people are using harsh words to heat up the system because they felt marginalised and neglected by the system.
He added that instead of sponsoring bill against free speech, the Senate should sponsor bill that makes every person have a sense of belonging in the Nigeria enterprise, saying that when everybody is happy there would be no need for hate speech.
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Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that despite criticisms that greeted the proposed regulation of social media by the Senate, a senior special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, declared that the regulation was inevitable.
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Source: Legit.ng
