The Senator representing Plateau North, Istifanus Gyang has said he will neither support nor grant consent to Hate Speech bill being canvassed for at the National Assembly.
The Senator said he opted to take the stance because it is a likely legislation that would compromise or subvert the fundamental rights of Nigerians and in particular, the right to freedom of speech and expression guaranteed by the nation’s constitution.
According to him, as a representative of the people, he would not be party to any legislation that will deprive Nigerians the right to “freedom of speech and expression”, stressing that backing such legislation would “tantamount to endorsing and introducing a regime of tyranny”.
The senator stated in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Protocol, Hon. Musa Ashoms, in Jos, the Plateau state capital, stating that his constituents had through messages, calls, emails, chats on WhatsApp and direct contact by citizens, agitated against as well as expressed their displeasure over the ‘Hate Speech’ and ‘Protection from Internet Falsehood and Manipulation’ Bills currently undergoing passage into law by the Senate.
“The views expressed by many Nigerian citizens and even foreign nationals who have reached him all voiced out against the passage of the two Bills.
“The views so expressed align with his thoughts and position as the Senator representing Plateau North, more so that there are extant laws in our jurisprudence that address the concerns raised by the two bills.
“Having sworn to an oath to defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Senator I.D. Gyang will not be a party to, nor grant consent to any proposed legislation that will compromise nor subvert the fundamental rights of citizens and in particular, the right to freedom of speech and expression guaranteed by the same Constitution.
“To deprive citizens of the right to freedom of speech and expression is tantamount to endorsing and introducing a regime of tyranny. This becomes even more draconian when death sentence has been prescribed as penalty in the Hate Speech Bill.”
Nonetheless, he said, “In furtherance of citizens participation in the making of any legislation, Senator Gyang has, with effect from Monday 25th November, 2019, open a register at his constituency office, ‘The Peoples Parliament’ No.1 Ibrahim Alfa Road, Giring Abattoir Jos, for citizens to sign and make their position known on the two bills.
“The Distinguished Senator shall table all the views so canvassed on the two bills before the Senate as the voice and wish of the people of Plateau North”, he concluded.
