President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed displeasure with the controversial Social Media Bill which has passed Second Reading on the floor of the Senate.
The bill sponsored by Senate Deputy Majority Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah (APC – Kebbi South), officially titled the “Frivolous Petitions and Other Matters Bill”, seeks to punish anyone who falsely accuses government officials of corruption with seven years imprisonment or N2 million fine or both.
But many Nigerians feel that it’s a subtle attempt to gag free speech, and took to social media to express their disdain for it, with some vowing to defend their rights to free speech.
In a statement on Monday, Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the president was committed to the enthronement of free speech, a statement that has been described as a veiled expression of displeasure with the moves of the Senate on the matter.
Shehu said: “The President said free speech is central to democratic societies anywhere in the world. The President explained that without free speech, elected representatives won’t be able to gauge public feelings and moods about governance issues.”
He added that Buhari reiterated his commitment to defending the constitution of the land, of which free speech is a cardinal objective.
However, Shehu said the president was not averse to lawful legislation, as long as it stays within the confines of the constitution.