Respect views of Nigerians on hate speech bill — Gov Tambuwal tells NASS

Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal 

The Governor of Sokoto state and vice-chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Gov Aminu Tambuwal, has said that national assembly should hold a public hearing on the proposed hate speech bill, saying that the public hearing will enable them to seek views of Nigerians on the proposed legislation.

On November 12, Musa Sani, senator representing Niger east, introduced the bill, which prescribes death by hanging for any person found guilty of any form of hate speech that results in the death of another person.



But the bill sparked outrage and condemnation among Nigerians.

Speaking on Wednesday at the end of governors’ meeting in Abuja, Tambuwal urged the lawmakers to respect the views of Nigerians by following due process on the proposed legislation.




He said, “I’m not sure I have heard any governor come out to say he is in support of the death penalty for hate speech,” Tambuwal said.

“I believe that the national assembly should hold a public hearing on that bill, so that due process of lawmaking is followed.


“This is so that the views of Nigerians, not just the governors, will be well captured on that bill and they (national assembly) should respect the views of Nigerians in whatever may be the direction of debate and the eventual passage or otherwise of that bill.”