By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Imo State House of Assembly member, Mr. Mike Iheanatu, on Sunday in Owerri accused federal government of exhibiting hate conducts which in turn elicit hate speech from the people. Adding that, if only people in authority would stop hate action that will end the issues of hate speeches.
For a example, the Nigeria we have today, I am a Nigerian. I support Nigeria as a sovereign nation. But we must not behave in a way that show we love some people and hate others.”
According to Vanguard, on the day the 36 speakers of state Houses of Assembly, had a special session in the state, where they passed a motion condemning hate speech in the country, Iheanatu, raised his hand to speak but was not given the opportunity by the Imo speaker, Acho Ihim.
According to the lawmaker, representing Aboh Mbaise state constituency, he was not against the condemnation of hate speech in Nigeria.
In his opinion, “I was not opposing to say that hate speech is good. I wanted to add another leg to the motion to say that much as we condemn hate speech, we should be able to know and realize that hate speech is a by product of hate action. Hate speech does not come on it’s own, something precipitates it and something propels it.
“It is a kind of having a cause and effect relationship. Something causes something to happen. Hate speech is a by-product of a hate action. So if you do not want hate speech, don’t introduce or perpetrate hate action. (Vanguard).