Lawan Says Hate Speech’s Fate To Be Decided By Nigerians

The Senate President Ahmad Lawan, has said that the fate of the controversial Hate Speech Bill would be determined by Nigerians.

It could be recalled that controversial bill since inception has generated numerous condemnation from the general public.

Lawan made the declaration at a media parley in Abuja on the achievements of the 9th Senate in the past six months. Adding that, the 9th Senate and indeed the National Assembly should be judged by its actions and inactions.

He added that Nigerians would have a date during the public hearing on the bill to say whether they wanted the bill passed or not.

Lawan expressed happiness that Nigerians were talking about the bill saying “it is not up to members of the National Assembly alone to deal with the hate speech bill.”

According to him, the bill is for every interested person to say if they wanted the hate speech bill passed or not.

On the labelling of the National Assembly as a rubber stamp parliament, Lawan insisted that misrepresenting what the Senate stood for, Nigerians judge the upper chamber by what it does.

He said that it would only be proper to call the Senate rubber stamp if it doing “rubber stamp” biddings of the executive.

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Lawan said, “Let me take this opportunity to appeal, judge us by what we do. Judge us by our actions. We have undertaken so many actions so far, and the press has been in this journey with us. Please judge us by what we do and what we don’t.

“There is no way we can, for example, pass into law something that will be inimical to the people of Nigeria. No we can’t.

“But we will do everything possible to ensure that we legislate on what will make life better for Nigerians and we have shown the sign so far.

“We have tried in the Senate to remain united, focused and deliver on what is good for Nigeria. So far, I think we have not done anything to show that even if a request is against Nigerians, it will be passed.

“But I don’t want to even imagine a situation where the National Assembly will be mean at Nigerians because we are a microcosm of Nigeria.

“So that settles the issue of rubber stamp. Because when we do rubber stamp, you can say this is rubber stamp. But if we do what is right, please encourage us because it helps.”