Nigerian Senate Reacts To Protesters Against Hate Speech And Social Media Bills

The Nigerian Senate has finally reacted to the agitation of protesters on the controversial hate speech and anti-social media bills at the National Assembly and some Nigerian cities yesterday.

Speaking on behalf of the Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan, Senators Uba Sani and Oseni Yakubu said that the bills would not be passed if they were rejected by Nigerians during the public hearing as they will not force the controversial hate speech and anti-social media bills on Nigerians.

Naija News understands that scores of protesters stormed the nation’s Parliament and some Nigerian cities yesterday, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the bills.

The consideration of the bills has not gone down well with many Nigerians, most of whom suspect that their rights, clearly tied to section 39 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended), could be abridged.

Many Nigerians are worried as freedom of expression is recognized as a fundamental human right and enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other global pacts.