The Frivolous Petitions Bill popularly known as the Anti- Social Media Bill, officially titled “An Act to Prohibit Frivolous Petitions; and Other Matters Connected Therewith (SB.143)” sponsored by the Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah, has so far become an undying plague on the floor of the National Assembly.
Following the re-introduction of the bill to the floor of the Nigerian Senate by its original sponsor, the question of the Bill’s aim if ever passed to law comes to mind.
Recall that the bill which had passed it’s second reading was vehemently kicked against during the public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Judiciary.
A major look at the implications of the the bill if passed to law:
“The bill stipulates a two-year jail term for anyone who posts abusive statements on the social media. The alternative to jail is a hefty N2 million fine.
“The bill makes it unlawful for anyone to submit any petition, as well as statement intended to report the conduct of any person for the purpose of an investigation, inquiry without a duly sworn affidavit confirming the content to be true and in accordance with the Oaths Act.
“The bill stipulates that any petition or complaints not accompanied by a sworn affidavit would be considered incompetent.”
In summary, the bill seeks to limit the freedom of expression of the citizens, curbing the freedom to freely express opinions especially about worsening socio-economic conditions on print media, social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter etc. If passed, it will successfully infringe on the citizenry’s right and freedom of expression and also put a gag with stiff penalties attached on the media, thereby infringing on freedom of journalism.
Forgetting the role the social media has played in enhancing good governance and in deepening democracy as supposedly practiced in the country, the introduction of the bill yet again to the floor of the Senate underlines the ulterior motive of some ‘caucus’ in clamping down on the outcry of the masses who have found solace in the use of social media as a way to express their undiluted reactions to concerned parties.
While defending the bill in December, the sponsor, Bala Ibn Na’Allah said: “Every Nigerian has a representative in the senate and I remember when I moved for the second reading, the senate president asked whether any senator wished to speak against it, but none of them spoke. Why didn’t the public speak through their representative then?” which further questions the intention and integrity of the representatives as the Social Media was rightly against the bill.
The key questions his statement brings to the fore are:
– Are the representatives a true reflection of the masses and their people?
– Will the masses ever be truly represented should the law -which has yet again been re-introduced to the floor or the Senate- be passed?
– What is left of ‘Democracy’ after the law?