The Governor of Oyo State Seyi Makinde has debunked claims alleging that Governors of South Western States are in support of the Social Media Bill.
The governor who debunked the claims during the inauguration of the Oyo State Judicial Panel of Inquiry into Police Brutality, Violation of Rights of Citizens and Unlawful Killings, said the Cybercrime Act is extensive enough and covers any issue that any Social Media bill may seek to address.
According to him, the Southwest Leaders believe that there is no need for any other bill to regulate social media as the Cybercrime Act, of 2015 was enough to regulate it.
“This afternoon (Tuesday), we inaugurated the Oyo State Judicial Panel of Inquiry into Police Brutality, Violation of Rights of Citizens and Unlawful Killings. The panel is made up of eleven (11) members led by Justice Bolajoko Adeniji (retired), as Chairman of the Panel.
“I encouraged anyone who has faced human rights abuse in the hands of any of the security forces to use this opportunity to seek justice. I also stated that those responsible for the deaths of Isiaka Jimoh, Ganiyu Moshood Alabi, and Adeoye Taiwo would be brought to book.
“I also clarified the misrepresentation of the position of the Southwest leaders on the so-called social media bill. Contrary to media reports, our position remains that since we already have an extensive Cybercrime Act, 2015 we don’t need any other bills to regulate social media,” Makinde said.
Last week, governors of northern states called for the censorship of social media to avoid the spread of fake news, noting that the use of social media during the #EndSARS protests threatened the oneness of the country.
The governors at a meeting in Kaduna said the effect of uncontrolled social media is devastating. They condemned the “subversive” actions of some #EndSARS protesters, saying some people took advantage of peaceful protest to push their “separative agenda”.
The minister of information and culture Lai Mohammed had earlier this month warned that social media will destroy Nigeria if it is not regulated.
