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| Senate President, Bukola Saraki. |
Lovers of freedom,
including social media activists and rights groups, cannot afford to let down
guard on their stout opposition to the proposed anti-social media bill
sponsored by Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah (APC Kebbi South), and clearly designed
to censor and limit freedom of expression in Nigeria.
To quell our
agitation, and lull us into a false sense of security, the Senate President,
Bukola Saraki has described the obnoxious bill as “dead-on-arrival.” But it
would be a huge mistake to take his assurance as a settled deal, and go to
sleep. Rather than being withdrawn, work has continued earnestly on the bill. While
we wish it could just fade away like a bad dream, it has garnered support from
serious stakeholders in the polity.
At a public forum in
Abuja, two weeks ago, to discuss the bill, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mahmud
Mohammed threw his considerable weight behind the proposed law, saying that
both corporate bodies and individuals needed to be safeguarded against
misinformation and frivolous accusation.
He said, “The very
use of the word, frivolous, it connotes unseriousness, ill-motivation and ( is)
suggestive of bad faith which is not within the contemplation of the
constitutional provision of freedom of expression.”
When an individual of
immense gravity like Nigeria’s Chief Justice who is supposed to be an impartial
arbiter, shows his open support for a proposed legislation that has generated
controversy and anger, no one needs to be told on the side of civil society
groups they should be vigilant and cautious.
Certain power-brokers
in this country meant business concerning the passage of this sinister bill. Lai
Mohammed, the country’s Information minister, has never hidden his obsession to
regulate the social media in whatever way he could. Aware of how APC, of which
he was the propaganda wizard, deployed its use to abuse, castigate and demonize
the former president, Goodluck Jonathan with impunity in their bid to capture
power – without suffering retaliation from the latter – the ruling government
is now afraid the tables would be turned against them with the social media
tactics unleashed earlier by Lai Mohammed’s e-squads.
Indeed, no
totalitarian, insecure ruler would be comfortable with the free-wheeling,
mobile technology of social media which has empowered many who hitherto were
voiceless. With your laptop or smart-phone, and internet data in place –
provided that PCHN is generous with electricity supply or you have the scarce
commodity of petrol in your Generator – you are good to go! Having done your
research, investigation or inquisition, you can write, edit and press the “publish”
button. To inform, advocate and entertain. With no one else but your
conscience, personal integrity and value system acting as gate-keepers!
To a professed “born-again
democrat” like President Muhammed Buhari for which no evidence exists that he
is weaned from his old dictatorial, draconian ways, the seemingly unrestrained
terrain of social media is a claw in the throat. Though he has tried to
distance himself from the anti-social media so that he would not be seen as
attempting to resurrect the ghost of Decree 4, it’s foolishness to take his
protestation of innocence beyond its face value.
Through his
spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, the president had said in December 2015 that the
principle of the bill was inconsistent with the democratic ideals of free
speech enshrined in the constitution of the land. In his words, “The President
won’t assent to any legislation that may be inconsistent with the constitution
of Nigeria.” Gauging correctly the mood of the country, the president also
acknowledged: “As a key component of democratic principles, Nigerians are so
emotionally attached to free speech that they would defend it with all their
might.”
At a high-profile
social media confab, Social Media Week
Lagos, last month, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, also spoke to
social media activists in a seemingly harmless tone. “ As far as I am
concerned, we are all on the same side. I strongly believe that there is a role
of the social media platform in our governance. You’ve helped in the election,
you’ve helped in improving governance. So I don’t think there is anybody who will
want to ensure you don’t play that role,” he said.
But, understandably,
concerns refuse to go away that the bill will introduce possible draconian
punishment for writing or saying anything online that is interpreted by
officialdom to be wrong or frivolous.
An internet activist,
Gbenga Sesan, has described the bill as “vaguely worded, misguided legislation.”
Now the bill,
officially titled, “An act to prohibit frivolous petitions; and other matters
connected therewith” has been attacked and questioned by indignant activists as
a way to severely punish anyone who dares to show dissent online against
government. With its disproportionate and obtuse restrictions, if the bill is
allowed to pass, anyone convicted under it faces jail time and fines of up to 2
million naira. ($10,000)
Have the social media
platforms been proved to play influential role to drive change and transparency
in our elections so far? Undoubtedly. It is also true that social media has
helped to improve governance at every level. Administrators are kept on their
toes, as they have to constantly watch over their back against whistleblowers
blowing their cover. Yet the political
elite’s concerns are misplaced that the millions of people in Nigeria on social
media will abuse those platforms in attacking government agencies and
individual politicians.
It cannot be denied
that social media has given millions of Nigerians unprecedented freedom of
expression that government finds difficult to control. Government in Nigeria
should not be afraid, but rather should aim to be transparent in their dealings,
which will fall squarely in line with the country’s current fight against
corruption. It’s only those who have things to hide that should be afraid of
being exposed. Instead of feeling insecure and frustrated that they are placed
under undue scrutiny, those in government at any level or branch should learn
to sublimate their frustration under the assumption that as leaders, they should
take not only the applause, but the barbs as well. They have the power and the glory. Do they want
to take our voice as well? No way!
Seriously, any
discussion on the bill should cease forthwith as it has a sinister and
diversionary agenda. As a country with different ethnic nations striving to
work with a united purpose, we cannot pretend that we have divergent values and
beliefs, along religious and cultural lines. By the way, who is going to define
what is frivolous? If I dare raise my voice to question that the presidency
appears to have selective memory as nothing has been heard from Buhari since
the horrendous Agatu killings by Fulani herdsmen, would that be termed
frivolous? If I take my pen to criticize El’Rufai. Governor of Kaduna, for
having the reckless audacity to persecute Christians in his misguided attempt
to give a one-year renewable licence for anyone to preach the gospel anywhere
in his state, an undeniable affront and contravention of the holy command of
Jesus Christ – it is unimaginable abomination to take permission from any man,
governor or king, in order to preach the gospel – would I be convicted for
frivolous accusation?
If I raised a question why soldiers should
humiliate and brutalize arm-less and defenceless aged women in Eku, Delta State
for protesting the alleged stealing and seizure of their community land, would
I be charged for frivolity in my petition? If I take my pen today to write a blistering
tirade against Babatunde (Superman) Fashola’s inability to fix the country’s
electricity problem within six months – a feat that does not require an
expertise in rocket science – knowing the lack of electricity supply is
breeding laziness and poverty, killing innovation and destroying the spirit of
enterprise, would I be convicted for frivolous writing online?
Frankly, enough said,
but I’m getting in touch respectfully with my capable Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central) to
distance himself from this mischievous bill, or we will wait for him during the
next election. It’s that serious!
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| Senator Ovie Omo-Agege. |
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