Hate-Speech law will end religious, ethnic crises, says senator

Senate Deputy Chief Whip Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi has said that his Hate Speech Bill, if passed by the National Assembly, would  address issues of discrimination associated with religious and ethnic persecution in the country.

Abdullahi, who spoke against the backdrop of the U.S. statement, said: “The threat is real. With the inclusion of Nigeria on the watch list of the United States government and sanctions to follow, it is only imperative for the legislature to act timely by introducing a law to deal with the menace which is becoming an embarrassment to the reputation of the country internationally.”

On the controversy trailing the   Hate Speech bill, the Senator said, “I can tell you that the bill is receiving strong support from Nigerians across the country.

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“Notable personalities across various professions are beginning to speak out in support of the bill in the media. This is not to leave out some members of the academia that are rallying support for the bill’s passage by the National Assembly.”

Abdullahi added that recent events have vindicated the introduction of the Hate Speech bill and expressed full confidence that Nigerians would come out massively to support it when the time is right.

He said: “Like I have always stated, only those who are against the unity of Nigeria will oppose the bill by hiding under guise of protecting ‘Free Speech’.

“The Hate Speech bill targets acts of discrimination and absolutely not Freedom of Speech as those with sinister motives who are opposed to the bill are trying to mislead Nigerians into believing.

“Before Nigeria is consumed by religious and ethnic violence, we must all rise to save the country from people using hate speech for personal gains.”