The Action Democratic Party (ADP), on Tuesday, 12th November, called on both the lower and upper chambers of the National Assembly, to reject and throw out the Anti Social Media Bill.
ADP in a statement issued through its National Publicity Secretary, Prince Adelaja Adeoye in Abuja, is asking the National Assembly to throw-out any bill aimed at gagging the freedom of speech of the citizens, saying its not in the best interest of Nigerians.
The Party says it wont fold is arm and watch the Minister for Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, continue its regulation on of social media bill.
“Alhaji Lai Mohammed, was calling for the regulation of the social media. We wont fold our arms and watch Nigeria descend into a state of totalitarian or despotism.”
ADP goes further to fault Mohammed, saying “It is an anti-peolle bill, which will not end well. If the government officials are clean and have nothing to hide, they should not be afraid of the social media.”
“It is even more absurd, that a Senator, who was voted in by the people, can stand up on the floor of the Senate, to propose death by hanging for citizens, for expressing themselves, which the government sees as hate speeches.”
ADC also warned that if care is not taking, “some overzealous Senators will drive Nigeria into chaotic situations, in their bid to impress the President at all cost, without minding the implications of doing so, because, such move, may lead to citizens rejection and protest against anti-people’s bills, such as social media regulation.”
“The National Assembly, as an arm of the government, must not project itself as a rubber stamp to the executive, where every bill is passed without considering the far reaching effects on the citizens.”
They quoted Chapter two, section 13-24 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy and chapter four, section 38, which states that “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought and conscience adding that Nigeria still operates constitutional democracy, which allows people the freedom to be themselves, without any hindrance from their elected leaders.
Away from the National Assembly, the ADC is also urging citizens to verify news before disseminating.
“In as much as we don’t want social media platforms to be regulated, we also urge our citizens to verify the kinds of information they will be putting out, to ensure that, they are not injurious, libellous or can cause threat to the life of another person.”
The party concluded by asking the “Federal government to face the business of governance, which is the main reasons they were elected”, adding that “bill to regulate social media platforms will be counter productive in the end” and that it should start the “sanitation from its members.”
“The Federal government should start the sanitation from its members of aides, who deliberately put out fake information, in their bid to hoodwink citizens. There are occasions, where aides deliberately put out pictures and videos of non-existed projects, in order to promote their principals, this is also a negative use of social media.”
They believe the social media bill, if not dropped, “will expose citizens to incessant attack, arrest and undue detention by the power mongers, who will abuse the process.”
