the House of Representatives has threatened legal action against the Federal
Government over its ban of Twitter operations in Nigeria.
A statement by the leader of the
caucus Kingsley Chinda on Sunday noted that the Nigerian government does not
have the power to ban the social media platform, arguing that the action lowers
the country’s image in the eyes of other democratic nations.
“We also call on the Federal
Ministry of Information and Culture to immediately rescind its directive to the
NBC to begin the licensing of social media operators in the country, having
regard to the absence of any enabling legislative framework for such
directive,” the statement read in part.
“We hereby give you notice that in
the event of the failure, refusal and or neglect of the Federal Government to
withdraw, reverse and/or cease the implementation of these oppressive and
unconstitutional actions, we shall be constrained to institute legal
proceedings at the appropriate judicial venue within the shortest possible
time”.
The caucus faulted the directive to the
National Broadcasting Commission to license social media operators in the
country, describing it as an attempt to introduce the ‘Social Media
Bill’ by mere executive fiat.
According to them, the move is a
violation of the doctrine of separation of powers and an erosion of the rule of
law.
“Whilst, these manifestly
undemocratic actions of government on its own is grave enough, we fear that it
may be a precursor to more ominous actions of blotting out dissenting voices,”
the lawmakers explained.
“It is a known fact that as
nonperforming, fragile or failed governments face increasing criticism from its
citizenry, out of desperation, they resort to more draconian and lawless
actions to intimidate and cow the citizens to consolidate its hold on power by
brute force.”
While calling on the Federal
Government to address numerous challenges facing the country including
kidnapping and banditry, the PDP caucus noted that social media is a means of
escape from the daily happenings in Nigeria and a source of employment for
many.
“It is worrisome that, at a time
when the country faces a real existential crisis and totters on the brink of
implosion from acute challenges such as widespread insecurity manifesting in
banditry, kidnapping and the activities of armed non-state actors across the
Federation, coupled with the parlous state of the economy resulting in
ballooning inflation and massive youth unemployment, the Federal Government
appears to be more preoccupied with stifling the right of Nigerian citizens to
freely express themselves on social media and elsewhere,” they added.
