The 9^th Senate of the federal Republic of Nigeria has made a U-turn over the Hate Speech and Anti-Social Media bills it was considering to pass to checkmate the abuse of online and social media due to public outcry that greeted the since its emergence in the red chamber.

President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan said the Senate will not pass the proposed anti-free speech bills.

Lawan said this in response to a protest letter against the hate speech bill and anti-social media bill before the Senate by the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA).

The country’s Number One Legislator disclosed that the lawmakers will listen to the pulse of the Nigerians who have rejected the bills and accede to the wishes of generality of the populace.

In his letter to HURIWA dated November 20th, 2019 which was endorsed by his Chief of Staff, Babagana Aji, but received on December 4th, 2019 titled: “RE: WHY NATIONAL ASSEMBLY’S BILLS AGAINST FREE SPEECH ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL: BY HURIWA,” stated as follows:

“I write to present the compliments of the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Sen. Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, Ph.D., CON and to acknowledge receipt of your letter on the above subject wherein you asked the National Assembly to suspend ad infinitum the current attempts at introducing obnoxious legislation to curb access to the social media.”

“His Excellency is appreciative of your concern towards upholding our constitution and your members’ continuous use of their talents as writers to promote, protect and project the human rights of all Nigerians. His Excellency assures you that the Senate will not pass any anti-people laws.”

“While thanking you, please accept the assurances of the President of the Senate.”

HURIWA had on November 13th, 2019 written to the senate through the offices of the Senate President titled:

“WHY NATIONAL ASSEMBLY’S BILLS AGAINST FREE SPEECH ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL: BY HURIWA” even as the group had argued that:

“Freedom of expression is one of the fundamental rights provided in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

By virtue of the same and other international instruments, it is the freedom to hold opinions, receive ideas and information and impart ideas and information without interference.

Social media is used in reference to the means of expression other than the mainstream media.”