The Presidency has reacted to the contentious ‘anti-social media’ bill being proposed for legislation by the Nigerian Senate.
The bill which is sponsored by Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, has received widespread condemnation and criticism from majority of Nigerians on social media.
Reacting to the furor generated by the bill, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said President Buhari would not lend his hand to anything that is inconsistent with the constitution.
Shehu said on Monday, that President Buhari is aware of the public sentiments on the proposed legislation but assured that there is no cause for alarm because the Senate is democratic in nature.
He added: “But he is not averse to lawful regulation, so long as that is done within the ambit of the constitution which he swore to uphold.”
The President said without free speech, elected representatives will not be able to gauge public feelings and moods about governance issues.
He also added that people in democratic settings “are so emotionally attached to free speech that they would defend it with all their might”.
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