The sponsor of the Nigeria controversial Hate Speech Bill, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, says Nigeria is faced with impending sanctions by the United State following her inclusion on the ‘special watchlist’ of the American Government over high cases of religious and ethnic persecution.
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Abdullahi, in a statement said the recent announcement by the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, of Nigeria’s inclusion in the religion violations’ list is a sign that Nigeria is under siege.
Abdullahi, who also doubled as the deputy chief whip of the Senate, noted that the bill was receiving strong support from Nigerians.
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“Like I’ve always stated, only those who are against the unity of Nigeria will oppose the bill by hiding under the guise of protecting free speech.”
He also said , the anti-hate speech law is needed to save Nigeria from ethno-religious violence “Before Nigeria is consumed by religious and ethnic violence, we must all rise to save the country from people using hate speech for personal gains,” he said.
