Lawyer Faults Proposed Social Media Bill, Says It Threatens Democratic Freedom
A lawyer, Maxwell Opara, has criticised the proposed social media regulation bill, arguing that it could undermine citizens’ rights to free expression and weaken democratic principles.
Opara said the National Assembly had lost the confidence of many Nigerians, accusing lawmakers of focusing more on their personal interests than addressing the concerns of ordinary citizens.
“We have lost hope in the National Assembly. They are there for themselves. They are not there for the masses,” he said.
The lawyer maintained that criticism, protests and opposition are important parts of any democracy and should not be restricted through legislation.
According to him, democracy thrives on the ability of citizens to question government policies and hold leaders accountable.
“The beauty of democracy is all about criticism. The beauty of democracy is all about protesting,” Opara said.
He questioned the timing of the proposed bill, noting that it comes ahead of the 2027 general elections. He alleged that the move could be aimed at controlling political discussions and limiting criticism on social media platforms.
“This is a calculated attempt to make sure that people do not use social media to expose them and their policies, and to let voters know why this APC-led government should not come back in 2027,” he said.
Opara argued that attempts to criminalise online expression would face strong resistance from Nigerians and would be difficult to enforce.
“Nigerians will not obey it. Take it to the bank,” he added.
He urged the government to focus on more pressing national challenges such as insecurity, terrorism and corruption rather than introducing laws that could restrict citizens’ constitutional freedoms.
