The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the proposed Hate Speech Prohibition Bill now before the National Assembly which  seeks stringent punishment including death by hanging as a penalty.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan on Wednesday in Abuja, the party said that in as much as it does not condone hate speech under any guise, it regarded the bill as unconstitutional, undemocratic and barbaric.

The main opposition party said that the provisions of the bill were deliberately nebulous with the malicious intention to victimize innocent Nigerians and targeted at official extermination of the voice of dissent and perceived opposition.

While recalling that the bill was rejected in the Senate in 2018, the PDP maintained that Nigeria already had enough constitutional provisions and extant laws to safeguard a sane and healthy public expression space. 

“Our party holds that if allowed to pass, the hate speech prohibition bill, with its savage provisions would destroy our democratic order, strip our constitutional provisions, the rights of citizens and usher in a full-blown despotism in Nigeria,” the statement said.

It added: “The PDP also charges the National Assembly to protect our nation by throwing away the bill.

“If anything, NASS should use its legislative instruments to strengthen our institutions and authorities vested with the regulation of public expression in line with the provisions of the 1999 constitution (as amended).”