Civil Rights Council, a civil society organisation in Rivers State has called on the three Senators representing the state to make their positions known on social media regulation bill currently before the Senate.
The bill sponsored by Musa Sani, Senator representing Niger East senatorial district, passed second reading on the floor of the Senate this week.
Civil Rights Council said Senator Betty Apiafi, who is representing Rivers West Senatorial district, Senator Barry Mpigi, representing Rivers South-East Senatorial district and Senator Thompson George Sekibo representing Rivers East Senatorial District in the National Assembly should not keep mum over the bill.
Also Read: P&ID: Nigeria secures variation of UK court order
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Prince Wiro and made available to theportcitynews, the Council revealed that the three Senators representing the state should not be silent at a critical time like this when a bill that will affect freedom of expression is being deliberated on in the National Assembly.
The statement explained that Rivers people deserve to know whether the Senators are in favour of the bill or against the bill.
“Council wish to use this medium to call on the Rivers Senators to make their position known without further delay.
“As an organization which promote Human rights advocacy. We believe that there is no need for regulation of social media space as the legislation on cyber crimes act takes care of internet falsehood and other cyber offences”.
The Council also commended Senator Chimaroke Nnamani for opposing the bill.
Also Read: Dutch police search for man who stabbed three children
“We add our voice in saying NO TO SOCIAL MEDIA BILL 2019, as it impacts negatively on freedom of speech which is one of the major ingredients in Democracy”
It called on Senators to be more responsive to Nigerian citizens by proposing laws that will eradicate poverty and not to propose a bill that will hinder freedom of expression.
