Since the hate speech Bill was introduced, many have condemned in strong terms that it is government’s subtle way of enslaving the people by taking away their voice and this is not far from the truth.
The simple truth is that Nigerians do not need any extra legislation on hate speech because there are countless laws in existence that can cater for this.
The government is basically using a sledge hammer to kill an ant with this step because there are existing laws that can curb hate speech in the society.
What happens to existing laws on libel, defamation or assassination of character? Government should learn to make existing laws functional, not add to the already heated polity by multiplying our laws.
This bill coming at this time is suspicious and is government’s way of suppressing the people; it is a tool for witch hunt, especially since the definition of what constitutes hate speech is still hazy.
Government will only be making people suffer unduly in a dictatorial manner, especially considering the provision for death sentence. Why will government add to people’s suffering?
Ajibola Babalola,
Oyo state
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