Yemisi Izuora
Lagos-based political/human rights activist, Chief Adesunbo Onitiri has advised the 9th Senate to kill the hate speech bill now pending before it immediately.
The Bill is anti-people and out to gag Nigerians and deprive them of their freedom as entrenched in the country’s constitution., he warned. In a statement released in Lagos yesterday, Chief Onitiri, who is also the secretary general of Lagos Elders Council, said Nigerians have gone far away to earn this freedom.
“On behalf of all patriotic Nigerian Democrats: “we wish to call on the Senate to kill the hate Speech bill presently before it at the second reading. The bill is anti people and out to gag Nigerians. It is also directed to stifle the opposition and deny the people their rights to freedom of speech.
“If the bill is not killed, Nigerians will regard the Senate as mere rubber stamp of the Executive and an enemy of the oppressed Nigerians in the majority. Our constitution has adequately provided for redress for anyone who feels assaulted by any false publication.
“Such a person can claim damages in our law courts. For our fledgling democracy to thrive, there must be vibrant opposition and freedom of speech. Nigeria is not a banana republic,”he stressed.Chief Onitiri pointed out that Nigerians could and will not allow our fundamental human rights to be taken away from us.
The bill he explained, is an attempt to cow the Press to submission. Nigeria is heading for draconian and dictatorial rule.
The Senate should focus more on passing punitive laws on kidnappers, Boko Haram who kill and maim civilians at will, killer Herdsmen, treasury looters and armed insurgents.
“We call on all Patriots to speak up against the Hate speech Bill. Even during the anarchial military regimes, our people were not subjected to this level of violence, slavery, insecurity and poverty,”Chief Onitiri social and political activist recalled.
The Hate Speech Bill prescribes among other punishments, death sentence by hanging, to any Nigerian who violates the law on passage.