The federal government has denied that it has indirectly smuggled in the obnoxious ‘Decree 4’ to gag freedom of the press.
The Senior Special Assistant to Mr. President on National Assembly Matters [Senate], Senator Ita S. Enang, stated government’s position in an interview with journalists in Uyo at the weekend.
The Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, had directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to sanction media organisations propagating hate speeches.
But speaking at the weekend, Enang said the minister’s statement on hate speeches was a reinstatement of the position of the law as enshrined in the National Broadcasting Commission’s code.
He said in democratic settings, new laws could only be made through the National Assembly.
“As far as I know, no such bill is before the National Assembly.
“I want to say that there is no new law that has been made. What the minister simply did was reinstating the position and content of National Broadcasting Commission Code; he is not making any new law.
“If any new law is to be made, it has to be submitted to the National Assembly and such will be passed by the National Assembly and submitted to Mr. President for assent.
“What is reinstated is the position of the current law as existing in the law of Nigeria including the law of defamation, incitement as to conduct life that could lead to breach of peace and all other legislations which make what you say capable of generating or creating an offence. So, no new law has been made, it is simply a reinstatement of existing law,” he further said.
Enang who represented Uyo senatorial district at the National Assembly, said the clamour for restructuring and devolution of powers could only be done when the constitution was amended.
The former senator commended Governor Udom Emmanuel and the people of Akwa Ibom State for standing with the president during his travails.
“I thank Akwa Ibom people and Governor Udom because throughout the period of Mr. President medical vacation he cooperated with the Acting President; he showed humane, understanding and cooperation throughout the period; his words were temperate, humane and reasonable.”
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