Hate Speech Bill: Money to change hands as Senate brace for showdown

One of the major highlights of 2019 is the proposed legislation for taming the spread of hate speeches by Nigerians especially on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.



The controversial bill which was sponsored by Deputy Chief Whip Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, representing Niger North, seeks to punish Nigerians whose misconduct on social media poses danger to other Nigerians and or threatens the unity and peaceful coexistence in the country.

But not everyone is buying the Buhari administration's excuse for seeking the passage of the Social Media Bill. Rights activists both within and outside the country including Amnesty International, have voiced their concerns over the possibility of the bill being hijacked by politicians and used by the government to suppress freedom of expression in the country.


The PDP and other pressure groups in the country also voiced their opposition, demanding that the bill be thrown out. Yet, the Buhari administration won't back down, saying no amount of outrage, would deter the administration from regulating the Nigerian social media space.



Now however, a new report by The Nation, claims a group of senators, under the aegis of “Senators Against Hate Speech and Social Media Bills” has emerged at the weekend.

The report says one of the arrowheads of the group revealed the resolve of members to put and end to what he called the two obnoxious Bills.




Members of the group are said to be from the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a few others from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The sponsors of the Bills are alleged to have assembled demonstrators in preparation for them to go to the National Assembly’s gate to support them before or during the public hearing.



It was also learnt that “money may exchange hands” to lure senators to back the Bills.

The arrowhead said members of the group were aware that consideration of the Bills would be accorded top priority at the resumption of the Senate on January 28, 2020.

“We are resolved to shoot down these Bills because it is obvious that Nigerians are against the proposed legislations.


“We are already mobilising like-mind senators. We know our membership, which cuts across party lines. From all indications, the number is growing by the day.

“We also know that the sponsors and other hidden hands behind the Bills are working behind the scene to push through the Bills.

“We are sensing the hand of Esau and the voice of Jacob in the proposed legislations.



“It is obvious that the backlash of passing the Bills will be too heavy for the Senate to contend with. Already, the Ninth Senate is battling with an image problem. Nigerians of all walks of life have spoken; we don’t represent ourselves,” he said.