Consequent to the public outcry over the controversial Hate-speech bill that dominated public discussion in the last one month, the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan has assured Nigerians that the bill will be laid to rest as it does not reflect the interest of Nigerians.
The Senate President made this revelation while responding to a protest letter written against the Hate speech bill and anti-Social media bill by Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, a non Governmental Organisation.
Lawan disclosed the lawmakers will listen to reactions from Nigerians and will act accordingly as they demand since governance is about championing the interest of people.
He explained in his letter to the HURIWA dated November 20th, 2019 endorsed by his chief of staff, Babagana M. Aji received on 4th December 2019 titled; “RE WHY NATIONAL ASSEMBLY’S BILLS AGAINST FREE SPEECH ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL: BY HURIWA,”
The letter partly reads 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 assurance of the President of the Senate.
HURIWA had on November 13th, 2019 wrote a protest letter to the National Assembly through the office of the Senate President titled: “WHY NATIONAL ASSEMBLY’S BILLS AGAINST FREE SPEECH ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL:
The group posited that “ Freedom of expression is one of the fundamental Human right guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN)1999 (As Amended) by virtue of same and in line with the international instrument, it is the freedom to hold opinion, receive, impact ideas and information without interference. Social Media is doing exactly that outside the mainstream media.
The letter further argued, the National Assembly to desist from anything that will strangulate such right and freedom since the constitution which they have sworn to protect has guaranteed that in section 39 of the CFRN.
The group further explained that such right is also contained in Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and people’s right.
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