Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar apparently does not agree with the anti-hate speech bill.
Atiku cautioned the Nigerian Senate against such a bill that would hang perpetrators that go against the law.
The Bill has stirred up some controversies since it was announced. According to the bill, people who violate the law would die by hanging as a form of punishment.
According to a statement which was read by Atiku’s special adviser on media, Paul Ibe on Tuesday said the contemplation of such laws was in itself not just hate speech, but an abuse of the legislative process. According to him, passing such bill would violate Nigerians’ constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of speech.
“It is prudent to build upon the tolerance inherited from those years and not shrink the democratic space to satisfy personal and group interests.
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“Freedom of speech was not just bestowed to Nigerians by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), it is also a divine right given to all men by their creator,”
Nigerians have also been reacting to the bill, sharing their concerns with the bill as it goes against our freedom of speech.
