By Olusegun Lawrence Members of Nigerian Civil Societies on Tuesday stormed the National Assembly Complex to protest the Social Media Bill being debated in the Senate for subsequent passage into law.
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.
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.
“The Senate is a democratic Senate. The President won’t assent to any legislation that may be inconsistent with the constitution of Nigeria,” Shehu had reassured.
