The sponsor of the controversial anti-social media bill that was thrown out by the senate last year, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah (APC, Kebbi South) has vowed that if given another chance, he would reintroduce the bill.
Na’Allah who stated this Wednesday night during a programme aired on Channels Television “The Core” with the topic “The Fourth Estate Of The Realm” and monitored by our correspondent in Abuja, disclosed that the social media has caused severe damaged to the country.
According to the senator, President Muhammadu Buhari who earlier jettisoned the bill has reconsidered his stand to assent to the bill if brought back.
At this point, a Journalist, and human rights activist, Chido Onumah who was one of the guests on the programme swiftly expressed disappointment over the comments of Senator Na’Allah, adding that the politicians have done more severe damage to the Nigerians than anyone.
“It is very disappointing that a senator of the federal republic of Nigeria can come to a national television and be saying the social media has done severe damage to Nigeria and if given another chance he will reintroduce the bill. This is a country where Journalists were arrested, detained and killed, newspaper houses closed down so what are we saying.?”
Also taking a swipe at the senator Na’Allah, a Nigerian born human rights activist and former Chief of the Culture, Gender and Human Rights department of the United Nations Population Fund, Ayisha Osori, a guest on the programme expressed displeasure over the statement made by the senator.
Some members of the panelists (audience) on the programme also expressed disappointment over the senator statement.
It would be recalled that in May 2016, the Senate threw out the frivolous petition bill 2015 (SB. 143), otherwise known as anti- social media bill sponsored by Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah (APC, Kebbi South) which set the senate against the public when it passed through second reading late last year.
The Senators took the decision following the report of the committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on the bill.
Delivering the report, Chairman of the Committee, Senator David Umaru (APC, Niger East) said the bill was opposed by almost all stakeholders during the Public Hearing on it as a result his committee recommended its withdrawal.
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the plenary, also backed the withdrawal.
