National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Emmanuel Enoidem has urged Nigerians to rise against the passage of the hate speech bill before the National Assembly, describing it as an anti – people law intended to rubbish the image of the nation.
Speaking yesterday in Uyo on the issue, Enoidem said the bill will gag the freedom of speech and damage the image of Nigeria before the international community.
He likened the bill to the notorious Decree 4 of 1984, enacted by the military government in the country, saying the provisions of the bill will impact negatively on the nation and challenged the press to rise up against the legislation as the media will be the first victim when it becomes law.
Enoidem explained that the bill is a strategy to Islamize Nigeria and make President Muhammadu Buhari return to rule the country for a third term.
“The hate speech bill being considered by the National Assembly is the worst form of freedom of speech and freedom of conscience bill that is being proposed by any country in the world whether under military or otherwise. It is very negative in intention; it is criminal in action.
“This is akin to Decree 4. But, if you look at Decree 4 and compare it to the provisions of the proposed bill, you will know that it has more negative provisions than the one proposed by the military.
“Who defines what hate speech is? If the press keeps quiet about it, they would become the first victim. It is better we stand up and speak against this evil that is coming.
The bill is very insulting to the common conscience of the country; it is very insulting to the image of the country and is very damaging to all of us. We need to stand up and speak against it as a people.
“This bill has two major focuses; it is going to be a major instrument if Buhari fails to translate himself into third term because that proposal is in the mill, he will use it as a religious weapon against those who will come against the Islamization of Nigeria. You don’t have to believe it, but it will happen.
“The Ruga project that was stood down is being reactivated in a very subtle manner. They have some vendors now who go about acquiring land because the federal government has given Miyetti Allah N100 billion, but they are still insisting on the remaining N50 billion, because they demanded for N150 billion.
We are calm, eagerly anxious for release of poll result – Bayelsa residents
“That money is for them to buy land privately in different locations in the country, now that is a penetration strategy. As I talk to you, even in Akwa Ibom state, the vendors are here to acquire land in pretence that they want to build hospitals. Eventually, the Hausas will come and settle there, colonise the place and make the place a northern enclave,” he asserted.
He observed that the law they have proposed is supposed to come as an executive bill, but was brought as a sponsored private bill because they know that if it comes as an executive bill, the intention will be known and Nigerians as well as the media would reject it.
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.