Just In: Senate Won’t Pass Hate Speech Bill – Ahmed Lawan

Senate President Ahmed Lawan has said the Upper Legislative chambers will not pass the proposed Hate Speech Bill.

This is following the outcry and protests that greeted the hate speech bill proposed by Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (APC-Niger State).

Senator Sabi Abdullahi had claimed that hate speech had led to the death of many and is a major factor behind depression and suicide in Nigeria.

However, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) had in a letter to Ahmed Lawan urged the senate not to pass the proposed bill.

Responding to the letter, the Senate President said lawmakers will listen to the pulse of the Nigerians who have rejected the bills and will do exactly as they demanded.

Lawan had in his letter to HURIWA dated November 20th 2019 which was endorsed by his Chief of Staff; Alhaji Babagana M. Aji but received on December 4th 2019 titled: “RE: WHY NATIONAL ASSEMBLY’S BILLS AGAINST FREE SPEECH ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL: BY HURIWA,” stated as follows:

“I write to present the compliments of the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Sen. Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, Ph.D., CON and to acknowledge receipt of your letter on the above subject wherein you asked the National Assembly to suspend ad infinitum the current attempts at introducing obnoxious legislation to curb access to the social media.”

“His Excellency is appreciative of your concern towards upholding our constitution and your members’ continuous use of their talents as writers to promote, protect and project the human rights of all Nigerians. His Excellency assures you that the Senate will not pass any anti-people laws.”

“While thanking you, please accept the assurances of the President of the Senate.”