The Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has reacted to plans by the Nigerian Government to make hate speech a treasonable offence. 

The Governor who released a statement through his media aide, Lere Olayinka, Fayose said the move is to silence opposition. Here's the statement; 

“I wish to express concern over the pronouncement of the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo that hate speech will henceforth be treated as terrorism. While I am totally against hate speech and will support any effort to curb it, it is important to caution the federal government on the danger inherent in the blanket categorisation of hate speech as treasonable. I make bold to say that saying the truth concerning the country and its rulers cannot be termed as hate speech.

 I only hope Nigeria is not being systematically returned to the colonial days when the law of sedition was used to jail many of those who fought for our independence or the era of Buhari’s military regime when the notorious Public Officers (Protection against False accusation) Decree 4 of 1984 was used to jailTunde Thompson and NdukaIrabor, both of The Guardian newspapers for publishing what the government termed as false.

Most importantly, going by the APC government’s use of the so-called anti-corruption fight to harass, intimidate, arrest and detain opposition figures, there is no doubt that categorising whatever that is termed as hate speech as act of terrorism is unconstitutional and an attempt to gag Nigerians, especially the press. It should therefore not be seen that since the use of corruption to harass, arrest and detain opposition figures is no longer fashionable, hate speech will now be another instrument of oppression to be used against opposition.

 The questions that must be answered by the federal government are; what constitutes hate speech andwho determines it? Has the Presidency becomes law unto itself such that it is now the one to determine what is an offense and what punishment to be applied? From all intent and purposes, the Acting President pronouncement which is obviously not backed by any legislation is an attempt to provide reasons for an impending clampdown on opposition and Nigerians will resist any attempt to mortgage their fundamental rights to freedom of expression under the guise of hate speeches. 

When the APC was looking for power, several provocative statements were made.  Nigerians are yet to forget President Buhari’s “the dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood” hate speeches and the threat by the APC to form a parallel government. What can be more treasonable than these statements made by President Buhari and his party? 

It is also on record that during the 2011 election campaign, President Buhari’s inciting statement led to widespread violence by his supporters in the North after he lost. Over 1000 people were slaughtered in cold blood, including innocent National Youth Service Corp members. Therefore, even if the APC government is sincere with its new found hatred for hate speeches, the APC government must first apologise to Nigerians for being the number one promoter and beneficiary of hate speech. 

Also, rather than this blanket criminalising of hate speeches, the federal government should embark on reorientation of Nigerians, especially the youths on the consequences of hate speeches to the unity of the country while the confidence of the people in the government (at all levels) must be restored.”

http://www.lailasblog.com/plans-fg-make-hate-speech-treasonable-plot-silence-opposition-gov-ayodele-fayose/

Lalasticlala

u are still talking? when Kanu has taken a step back at the hearing of buhari's possible return today.
Kanu now in support of Anambra election. the fear of the GENERAL, dead or alive is what IPOD need to avoid Burutai and his men come November.

Hate speeches & songs not from the northerners. Even the northern declaration is not aimed at dislodging the igbos from the northern territories, but a wake up call for the Igbos to get back to their senses and realise that northern Nigeria is the backbone of their economy. The northerners are still happy with other Nigerians living in the north. But some miscreant are taking advantage of the northern declarations to cook up hate speeches and even songs against others.

Gov. Fayose is wrong, the latest fg decision to curtail hate speeches is a necessary measure that can stop us from provoking ourselves into serious conflict. #hate speech can cause war

It's purely undemocratic.

[quote author=Cinkq post=59626073][/quote]

see this mumu...dont u know dat twas d hate speech of ya president that is causing all dis war mongering we see today. or are u telling me that u havent herd bout d dogs and babboons wil soak in blood?

With all all of the hate mongering rhetorics, songs and actions from various regions of the country, only an irresponsible government will fold it's arms and allow such to thrive.

Kudos to the government for this pronouncement and I hope it is passed into law soon.

This fool again. How can a sane person support this guy?

We know na

ShobayoEmma:
It's purely undemocratic.

So hate speech is now democratic


Stop [img]http:///a/img923/4999/Wo0GB6.gif[/img]

Is Fayose for real or is he trolling?

It's like asking the NeoNazi groups in America to say what they want.

You have the freedom to make hate speech, but there are consequences after that speech.

This Fayose obviously doesn't listen to radio Biafra......hateful people.

Must you make hate speech to oppose the status quo? .... i.e kill Yorubas and abokis..... t

One can express his or her opposition over issues without having to discharge venom!

Peace and unity is one of UN sustainability goals. Hate speech does not foster that. Being an opposition doesn't mean you have to speak hate. Only deformed minds speak hate.

I hope IPOB is not the opposition.

I compromise with fayose on this

Reptyle:
With all all of the hate mongering rhetorics, songs and actions from various regions of the country, only an irresponsible government will fold it's arms and allow such to thrive.

Kudos to the government for this pronouncement and I hope it is passed into law soon.

Define hate speech? What constitutes hate? Is it speaking bad about a politician or going on social media and ranting? Is it the same rules for Southerners as Northerners? Is it free from religious or political affiliations? Even the advanced countries cannot ban hate speeches they can only discourage them because hate is subjective!

Hate speeches not criticisms Fayose.

nawa

fayose friend don show.

I can't believe that a governor of a state can say this. Shame on you sir


You are free to criticise constructively but why should anyone incite the youth with their words?

swiz123:
I compromise with fayose on this

You shouldn't.

This country don tire me

Pavore9:
One can express his or her opposition over issues without having to discharge venom!

exactly!

“the dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood” no b me talk ham oo

The wicked runs when no one pursues....
#theguiltyone

ok“the dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood” no b me talk ham oo

Buhari must go to prison first for hate speech.


We still remember "the dogs and baboon will be soaked in blood" speech by Buhari.


Then, as if that was not enough he called "SS/SE 5%".


The list of Buhari hate speech are endless.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV_VUw1wo3s

Exactly , to silent the opposition

Let them sign whatever into law, afterall they started hate speeches. I hope they remember it will still stand when they become oposition in 2019