Former Nigeria Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has frowned at the proposed Hate Speech Bill, saying: “Nobody can muzzle the voice of Nigerians.”
General Babangida, while making this disclosure when he received the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Chief Christopher Isiguzo, who paid him a courtesy visit at his Minna uphill residence, said: “There is no basis for the Hate Speech Bill.”
In a similar vain, the Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, declared that he will continue to stand with the media so as to put to rest the Hate Speech and Social Media Bills, which have drawn a lot of criticism.
While recalling, General Babangida said a similar bill was presented before the 8th National Assembly and he advised against it, saying: “I am surprised that this bill has resurfaced.
“There is no basis for this now.
“We are developing and we should be allowed to develop.
“If we make mistakes, people can be cautioned.
“If somebody goes off, you have the right to call him to say no we don’t want this.
“Unless people are able to express themselves that the government or those in authority will know what is happening in the country.”
The former military president, who said the only reason for the bill is that the sponsors wants to show “eye service,” described the death penalty prescribed in the bill as crude.
Babangida told his visitor that he will join the NUJ and other stakeholders in protesting against the passage of the bill, saying: “I am with you on this.
“II will also talk to those of us who could be in position to bring sanity to bear on some of these things.”
The former military president said he had been following media publications on the forthcoming United States of America election, adding: “If we had their type of media, I think they should be jailing you all by now.”
He credited himself with opening up the media space in the country even when some of his colleagues opposed his policy “but today the country is better for it.”
Babangida challenged the media in the country to remain “strong, focussed on what Nigeria wants.
“We can only succeed if we allow this freedom unfettered without death threat or N10 million.
“It sounds silly.”
Bello, while assuring the media, said: “I will talk to my legislators; I will try to lobby them for you (the media). But the use of social media should be of great concern to us all
“Most of the damages and havocs done are not by professional Journalists but by quacks. The media need to come out to highlight issues and join hands with government to stop hate speech.”
He further disclosed that the use of hate speech has done more harm to the nation, adding: “How can somebody wake up and say Mr. President is dead?
“Is this thinkable?
“Even your enemy, you don’t wish him dead.”
Earlier the NUJ National President had solicited the support of the former military president to bring down the hate speech bill before the National Assembly.
Isiguzo said: “There is need for the National Assembly to reconsider and drop these bills and ensure they propose a Bill that will improve the welfare of practitioners.
“This is not the best of times to practice journalism in Nigeria; this also is not the best time to clamp down the media.”
It should be recalled that the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, from Niger North Senatorial District, had proposed a bill on hate speech, while Senator Sani Musa, representing Niger North East Senatorial District, proposed a bill on social media offenders.
The NUJ President is on a three-day national tour to Niger State, where he also visited various chapels in company with other national officials.
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