My stance on hate speech bill - Ahmed Lawan
- Ahmed Lawan has revealed his stance on hate speech
- According to him, the bill will not pass if Nigerians are against it
- The bill has been criticised by many Nigerians who say it is meant to clamp down on free speech and silence critical voices
Ahmad Lawan, Nigeria's Senate president, says the hate speech bill currently before lawmakers would not be passed into law.
According to him, it would not pass if a majority of Nigerians oppose it. He disclosed this while addressing journalists in Abuja.
"The hate speech bill is not going to be passed without the desired public hearing. If you feel the hate speech bill should not pass.
“The preponderance of opinion of Nigerians will determine the way the hate speech bill will go," he added.
The bill has been criticised by many Nigerians who say it is meant to clamp down on free speech and silence critical voices.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that the leadership of the Nigerian Senate disowned the controversial hate speech bill which passed first reading last week.
According to the Senate, the bill was solely being sponsored by the deputy chief whip, Sabi Abdullahi, based on his conviction.
Senator Godiya Akwashiki, acting spokesperson for the red chamber, made the Senate's position known.
He told journalists in Abuja on Monday, November 18, that contrary to widespread impression, the bill was not the idea of the ninth Senate.
Going further, he added that the fate of the bill would be determined on the floor of the Senate after a robust debate by senators.
Meanwhile, the senator behind the bill has vowed to push on with it. Abdullahi also disclosed that he has been receiving threats over the bill. He insisted that he would not shy away from his responsibility.
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“Like somebody wrote to me, over the past ten days or so since the bill was read for the first time, I have received all kinds of messages some even including threats. But I am not bothered about that. In all of these, if I receive one commendation, it gladdens my heart and I did receive many commendations and one stood out and said there is so much hate in this country. We must check it," he said.
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Source: Legit.ng
