Following  widespread criticisms which greeted the Hate Speech Bill which passed first reading in the Nigerian National Assembly last week, the country’s Senate has disassociated itself from the proposed legislation.

Briefing journalists in Abuja on Monday, the acting spokesperson for the Senate, Senator Godiya Akwashiki said contrary to the widespread impression, the bill was not the idea of the ninth Senate

Akwashiki said the proposed bill was solely being sponsored by the Deputy Chief Whip, Sabi Abdullahi based on his personal conviction.

While describing as unfortunate, the statement credited to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which claimed that the bill was aimed at actualizing the alleged third term ambition of President Muhammadu Buhari, Akwashiki noted that the fate of the bill would be determined on the floor of the Senate after a robust debate by senators.