Nigerian youths celebrate their victory after taking to the Nigerian streets in the last few days to protest against the brutality, harassment, and killings by the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS). Yesterday, Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu announce the dissolution of the police unit regarding the people’s request.
Although an affirming word has been given to Nigerians on record, Nigerians are not convinced and a staged protest continues in Lagos as of this morning. Notwithstanding, behind the curtain is the immediate need for the National Assembly to sign the 2021 budget in which the ‘Hate Speech’ law happens to be in the budget with a total cost of 339 million naira.
The hilarious way the government using our money to stop us from talking about the ills of the government, yet, we are yet to know what the government refers to as hate speech. And without clearly stating what the government regards as hate speech, how do we know what to say or what not to say in the social media space?
Seems to be a mechanism to prove that any statement that poses to antagonize the actions of the government will be regarded as hate speech and so on, just like in the time of Gen. Abacha, we will not be able to protest or express the pain caused us by the government.
While we are focused on the #EndSARS, as youths, it seems we have slept on while the hate speech was signed into law and a budget has been prepared to stop future protests without a clear cut on what can be said wrongly. And if it is in the law, it can be used against us and cripple our hope as a country. It is a sharp contrast to the Freedom of Speech signed into law by Former President Goodluck Jonathan.
For the sake of future protests shall we begin #EndHateSpeech.
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