Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has faulted Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi-sponsored bill that recommends death penalty for purveyors of hate speech.
In a statement today, Fayose said public office holders are responsible to the people, and hence, there is need for the people to assess and tell those in power the truth, whether it augur with them or not.
“Those of us occupying public offices are doing so in trust for the people, we are not their lords. The power of the people is greater than the power of the people in power.
“When you say the truth to power, tell those of us in power what we are doing wrong, it is not Hate Speech. Rather, it is patriotism.
“If you are in power and afraid of Nigerians telling you the bitter truth, resign and go to your house,” the Ekiti state executive Governor said.
TheNewsGuru reports the hate speech bill proposes that anyone found guilty of any form of hate speech could face death by hanging upon conviction.
Senator Abdullahi explaining why death penalty was included in the bill said the hate speech bill has slated some processes which must be exhausted before a person is subjected to the maximum punishment.
“On this issue of Hate Speech, I stand with Nigerians and anything they say to make the country better,” Fayose, however, said.