PDP Legal Adviser: Proposed Hate Speech Bill a Reincarnation of Decree 4

 ...He warns media practitioners to fight it, or be victims

The National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Emmanuel Enoidem, has said the hate speech being proposed by the National Assembly was the reincarnation of the Decree 4 enacted by the past military government in the country.

Speaking on the proposed bill on Monday in Uyo, the National Legal Adviser of PDP described the proposed hate speech bill as criminal and an insult to the image of the country.

According to him, the bill, which will gag the freedom of speech when passed is damaging to the country as the provisions of the bill will impact negatively on the country.

 

He urged the press to rise up against it, saying if the bill becomes law, the press will be its first victim.

Enoidem alleged that the bill was a strategy to Islamise Nigeria and make return President Muhammadu Buhari to rule the country for third term.

He explained that the N100 billion which the federal government gave to Miyetti Allah was a subtle plan to initiate the Islamisation of the country through the acquisition of lands.

The PDP chieftain noted that the money given to Miyetti Allah was to be used to revive the failed Ruga policy of the federal government, adding that already, vendors have started scouting the country to acquire large expanse of lands under the pretense of building hospitals and other infrastructure.

 

According to him, "The hate speech bill being considered by the National Assembly is the worst form of system to kill freedom of speech and freedom of conscience by any country in the world, whether under military or otherwise. It is negative in intention and criminal in action.

"This is akin to Decree 4. But if you look at Decree 4 and compare it to the provision of the proposed bill, you will know that it has more negative provision than the one proposed by the military.

"Who defines what hate speech is? If the media 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 in view. 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 Islamisation 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 N150 billion. That money is for them to buy land privately in different locations in the country, now that is a penetrative 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 among others. Eventually, the Fulani will come and settle there, colonise the place and make the place a northern enclave.”

He alleged further that "this law that they have proposed was supposed to come as an executive bill but they brought in somebody to sponsor it for them as a private bill, because they know that if it comes as an executive bill, the intention will be seen through."