At a security summit in Abuja on Thursday, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo said the federal government would no longer tolerate inflammatory statements.
But in a statement which Lere Olayinka, his spokesman, issued on his behalf, Fayose alleged that the development was a plot to silence the opposition.
“I wish to express concern over the pronouncement of the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo that hate speech will henceforth be treated as terrorism,” Fayose said.
“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.
“This appears as another plot to silence the opposition and I make bold to say that saying the truth concerning the country and its rulers cannot be termed as hate speech.”
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Edited from The Cable
But in a statement which Lere Olayinka, his spokesman, issued on his behalf, Fayose alleged that the development was a plot to silence the opposition.
“I wish to express concern over the pronouncement of the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo that hate speech will henceforth be treated as terrorism,” Fayose said.
“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.
“This appears as another plot to silence the opposition and I make bold to say that saying the truth concerning the country and its rulers cannot be termed as hate speech.”
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Edited from The Cable
Fayose have spoken, ffk where @ thou?
ReplyDeleteTruth is, hate speeches seems to be the In thing in politics. Everyone guilty. If not the individual, the party
DeleteFayose have spoken, ffk where @ thou?
ReplyDeleteI have always said, be careful of what you do, cos tables will always turn around, the opposition during Gej harassed the then president and the first lady, even Prof soyinka called her a pig, Gej was abused by Nigerians like no tomorrow. Buhari busy granting interviews for yaradua to resign when he was sick then,now tables re turned you want the new opposition to romance you and not take their pounds of flesh? Where were these same promoters of love when Gej and patience were harassed by the press and Nigerians? This govt is lucky that the press is in love with it or should I say the govt has pocketed the press. Where was this same govt when a spokesman femi called some Nigerians wailers? APC created these monster that is threatening the country today, or have we forgotten when buhari said the blood of monkeys and baboons will be soaked in blood if he doesn't win the elections? APC didn't caution him then , well the country is a free for all now, lawlessness and all.
ReplyDeleteSame thing I've been saying. They used every derogatory term on the Jonathans, now they think criticism is hate speech... Delusional monkeys is what the APC are..
DeleteWhat a time to be a Nigerian!
ReplyDeleteI don't see any sense in what this rabblerouser is talking about but as usual those who don't or can't use their brain to think will quickly swallow it up.
ReplyDeleteThe guy made sense, though I don't like his person.
ReplyDelete