Senate president Lawan distances himself from hate speech bill

Senate President, Ahmed Lawan 

Nigeria’s Senate President, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, has distanced himself from the controversial Hate Speech and social media bills, saying that the fate of those bills hangs on the decision of Nigerians.

Lawan said in Abuja at a Luncheon/Media briefing that, if Nigerians opposed the passage of the bills, Senate would not act otherwise.



Recall that the controversial bills have scaled first reading on the floor of the Senate with attendant heavy criticism by the public, allaying fears that the media would be games, if the bills were passed into law.

However, the senate president stressed that it was left for Nigerians to decide if both bills would be passed, adding that the Senate would rely on the preponderance of their opinions.




“Hate Speech bill, thank God, the Sponsor is here, and to me, the bill has a lining in Nigeria’s Democratic environment.

“Nigerians from all persuasions have one thing to say and this is what democracy is all about.


“Hate Speech bill is not going to be passed without the desirable public hearing, so we have the opportunity to be there with our arguments on whether we like it or not.

“The preponderance of opinion of Nigerians will determine whether hate Speech bill will be passed or not.”