PDP To Oppose 'Anti-Human Rights' Bill

Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe of the opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the party is ready to go against the Anti-Hate Speech bill strongly.

The Senate has come under heavy criticisms by Nigerians for the proposed death penalty for hate speech offenders.

According to Abaribe, there already exist laws to handle the regulation of the use of social media, and the introduction of this bill, which is anti-human rights, is redundant. 

He said, "There is no speed with which this Bill is being passed. The first reading of a Bill is automatic. We can’t comment on what is still in the first stage.

“What I can assure you is that this Senate can’t be a party to removing the rights of Nigerians under any circumstance. Section 39 of the Constitution talks about our freedom as citizens. The 9th Senate will not abridge your rights.

“I don’t think Nigerians who fought and paid the supreme to entrench this democracy will easily give it away and make us go back to the dark days. Rest assured that when we get to that point, we will stand for the people. Every Bill that passes here must pass through the rigors to ensure that it protects the rights of over 200 million Nigerians."

“The proposed 'Protection from Internet Falsehood and Manipulations Bill, 2019' bill, which prescribes a 3-year jail term for anyone found in the offensive side of the law, which involves said person using social media platforms to spread false information.”