Hate Speech Bill Will Only Cripple Nigeria’s Vibrant Journalism – Francis Fadahunsi

Senator representing Osun East Senatorial District, Francis Fadahunsi has said he will not back the hate speech bull because it will only cripple quality journalism in the country.

According to him, the real person behind the bill is Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Muhammed, and Senator Sabi was only fronting for him.

Francis who was speaking with Journalists at the weekend revealed that the bill is simply targetting vibrant journalism, which is now the foundation of Nigeria’s democracy.

His words, “It is important for all stakeholders in the country to stand against the hate speech bill because it is aimed at shutting the vibrancy of the media. I would not support such a bill as the media is now the most critical stakeholder in our democratic experience so far.

Senator Sabi Abdullahi only front for the bill, it actually originated from the Executive, specifically, Lai Muhammed and the sole motive is just to box the media into a corner, where it would no longer have the vibrancy to question those in public offices. Every lover of democracy and rule of law must ensure that the hate speech is crushed no matter how it is introduced and the number of times it resurfaces in the National Assembly”

On the border closure, “You don’t just close the borders because of the smuggling of rice, the federal government must also ensure that the porous northern borders are properly managed to curb the influx of small and light weapons brought on the pretence of trading in cows, camels and donkeys in some market in the northern border towns.

“Besides, security operatives must take cognisance of soldiers that deserted the war front with lots of weapons, at least about 10,000 men have run away selling off their weapons to raise money for other businesses to make ends meet.

“The FG must find a means of mopping up those weapons for peace to reign in the country.”