Nigeria, Nov. 13 -- The Nigerian Senate has said the controversial hate speech bill will not pass if it will bring "hardship" to Nigerians.

A spokesperson for the upper legislative arm on Wednesday urged patience amid widespread uproar that has greeted the reintroduction of the bill this week.

The vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Media, Godiya Akwashiki, said at a press conference that Nigerians should allow the bill to go through the normal lawmaking procedure.

"If the bill reflects the wishes and interests of Nigerians, it will scale second reading. If it will create hardship on the people of Nigeria, I want to assure you it will be killed by other senators when it is in its second reading," Mr Akwashiki said.

"I want to urg...