*Protesters demand recall of senators involved in the bill
Protest is currently going on in National Assembly [NASS] by civil societies against the anti-social media bill proposed by some members of the Senate.
According to the protesters, the “Bill for an Act to Prohibit Frivolous Petitions” is to all intents and purposes to gag the social media and stifle the platform which has come to be seen as the most feasible means for the common man to express his/her self.
The protesters also consider it a violation of the fundamental Human Right of Freedom of Speech and Expression as enshrined in Chapter IV, section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution which provides that “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference”
The protesters are demanding, among other things, that the bill be scrapped and for the recall of senators involved in the bill.
The group which began their protest from Unity Fountain in Abuja displayed different inscriptions like “No social media bill”, “Freedom of speech is fundamental human right”, Nigerians say #notosocialmedia bill#” etc.
The bill, which is titled “Bill for an Act to Prohibit Frivolous Petitions and Other Matters Connected Therewith,” has been dubbed ‘Anti-Social Media’ as it seeks to impose a two-year jail term for abusive statement.
In the group presentation submitted to the Senate which was made available to our correspondent titled” request for discontinuation of Legislative process turning ‘the anti-social media’ into law.
The letter reads, ” we are writing to request a discontinuation of the process of turning the ‘Act to Prohibit Frivolous Petitions and other Matters’ bill aka ‘anti-social media aka “the anti-frivolity Bill’ into law.
“We ask this for a number of reasons; the most important one which is that by criminalizing free speech, this bill directly contradicts Universal Declaration of Human Right (UDHR) and the 1999 constitution of Nigeria.
It is being sponsored by the Senate Majority Leaders, Senator Iba Na’allah and has already passed second reading.
The bill has been widely condemned by media practitioners and civil societies as it is seen as a deliberate ploy to gag Nigerian media.
On Monday, Presidential Senior Aide on Media, Garba Shehu, assured Nigerians that President Muhammadu Buhari would not assent to any bill that impedes on freedom of speech or that is inconsistent with the provision of the nation’s constitution.
“As a key component of democratic principles, the President acknowledged that people in democratic societies are so emotionally attached to free speech that they would defend it with all their might.
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