PLATEAU YOUTH G17’s POSITION ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA BILL AND ITS ENDORSEMENT BY THE NORTHERN GOVERNOR’S FORUM

The Plateau Youth G17 considers it necessary to lend its voice to the growing agitations by Nigerians, home and abroad on the proposed social media bill now before the Senate titled: “Protection from Internet falsehood and Manipulation in Internet Transmission and Correspondence in Nigeria Bill, 2019”. 

As Plateau Youths, we wish to state from the onset, that we are firmly opposed to this obnoxious bill. We reject and dissociate ourselves from the Bill sponsored by Sen. Mohammed Sani Musa (Niger) and Sen. Elisha Abbo (Adamawa). The bill is not only undemocratic and unconstitutional, it is merely targeted at gagging the citizens and erode their fundamental constitutional right(s) to freedom of expression and the press; which is in line with Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

Nigerians have every right to freedom of expression online and otherwise; and any attempt to deny such rights, should be resisted, opposed and rejected at all cost by all men and women of conscience and goodwill.
It is an undisputed fact that the social media has been a tool citizens have effectively used to keep government in check and hold those in authority accountable to their campaign promises and social contract. Why then is the government afraid of the expansion of the democratic space and engagement with its citizens through this viable and important tool of modern communication? The social media space has, in no small measure helped to increase citizens interaction with government, with benefits that far outweigh its perceived negative impact.

Our government does not need to be afraid of social media as it helps amplify those doing well as can be exemplified by the activities of Governors Zulum of Borno State and Makinde of Oyo state. Citizens have demonstrated responsible use of social media in applauding the government when it deserves commendation and indeed no distraught will ensue between government and the governed where none exists. But if it fails in its mandate to provide good governance and accountability, the social media which is now termed the fifth estate of the realm, comes handy in giving instant feedback to government on its performance.

We also want to express our disappointment and dismay at the position of the Northern Governor’s Forum, reached on the 2nd November, 2020 at Kaduna state,  chaired  by our own dear governor, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State, where he and others in attendance including but not limited to; the Senate President, Sen. Ahmed Lawan, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, Traditional Rulers from the North, and other Northern Leaders present, stated without mincing words, their support for this anti people Bill before the National Assembly.
We want to state here, that we strenuously disagree and dissociate ourselves with that unfair, unjust and unconstitutional position of the Northern leaders.

It is worrisome to us  that these leaders came to this speedy decision after the heroic and patriotic efforts of nigerian youths who effectively used the social media, to mobilise themselves and organise what was without a doubt, the most peaceful protests our country has witnessed in recent times.

We say this with all sense of responsibility and a patriotic conviction as all evidence point to the fact that the #Endsars protesters conducted themselves creditably throughout the duration of the struggle for the reform of the police and administration of justice in Nigeria until they were brutally assaulted and killed by agents of the state in cohort with hired thugs and miscreants. The history of the protests can not be rewritten or wished away and nigerian youths deserve commendation for the way they conducted themselves while their genuine protest lasted. As youths, we take exception to the hateful attempts to demonise this patriotic effort which was halted by the wilful and highhanded use of military force and bullets by government to silence descent which resulted in the degeneration of an otherwise peaceful and patriotic endeavour into open confrontation and the near total collapse of law and order.

Citizens have been left bewildered at the speed with which the Northern leaders mobilised themselves to their all important meeting and therefore, make bold to ask why such meeting by the Northern Governors and leaders have seldom been called to address the plethora of challenges like the worsening levels of insecurity, kidnapping, banditry, poverty, illiteracy, etc, in the region, to say the least. All these challenges bedevilling the north have never received such swift attention. This therefore calls to question the resolutions reached as they are misplaced, un-patriotic, selfish and self serving.

It is important to note here that as a people in Plateau State we have every right to freely express and enjoy our constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights and freedoms, in a society where the rule of law is the guiding or grand norm that governs both government and the governed. We will therefore not sit idly bye as leaders in our capacity and watch few individuals gag and muzzle us through draconian and obnoxious laws that only seek to transform citizens into serfs and slavish followers in a 21st century democratic society.
We use this opportunity to lend our voice and support to the ENDSARS protest which was a just and godly movement to end brutality by security operatives, especially, the Police who are paid to protect citizens whether lowly or highly placed, and to speak against bad government. We sympathise with families who lost loved ones as a result of the Lekki military massacre of peaceful protesters and those who died in the cause of the struggle in other parts of the country. We also want to condemn the carnage which took place in the aftermath of the Lekki incidence which resonated across the country where lives and properties were lost.

We make bold also to dissociate ourselves from the position of the Northern Leaders where they rather mischievously seek to tint the heroic and patriotic struggle of Nigerians by classifying the #ENDSARS protests as a coup against the government of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (Rtrd). Nothing can be further from the truth as the #ENDSARS protest was evidently a glowing statement and display of the deep love and patriotism of the Nigerian youth as it was organised by responsible Nigerian Youths who are against bad governance as it also, brought to the fore, the prayers and wishes for a better Nigeria.
We are against any form of bad governance in any guise whether through gagging the social media which has become a powerful tool in demanding good governance, accountability from political leaders, and we will be willing and ready to lend our voice to any just struggle for a better society by holding government accountable in keeping to its social contract with its citizens.

It is in light of the above that we also wish to call on the Plateau State Government to listen to the voice of reason and genuine agitations of the people of Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Jos North and Jos South, and conduct the delayed local government elections. Having followed keenly all that has transpired over the years, it beats us hallow that government, for no just reason has consistently refused to allow the people of these local government areas the freedom to choose those to lead them at this level of governance. The perpetual imposition of undemocratic and unconstitutional Transition Committees on the people is unacceptable. Government, by its actions is deliberately stoking conflict and it will be unfortunate to turn round to accuse citizens of breaking the law when this deliberate and barefaced suppression of the will of the people degenerates into protest.

We wish to warn that tensions are currently high and government most listen to its citizens and decide on the importance of promoting peace and good governance by granting the people of these local government areas their constitutional right to elect leaders of their choice through the urgent conduct of free, fair and credible elections.

The worn-out excuse of insecurity and threat to peaceful coexistence peddled by this government stands logic on the head when juxtaposed with the consistent claims by government to ensuring sustainable peace as a major achievement since coming to office.

Equally, the peaceful conduct of the 2019 general elections in these local government areas without any form of conflict or degeneration in the peaceful atmosphere of these local government areas attest to the fact that this government is rather acting more like a conflict instigator than one who’s duty is the guaranty of the peace and security of its citizens. We therefore seize this opportunity to call on all men and women of goodwill to prevail on the Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Simon Lalong to, without further delay, ensure the conduct of local government elections in the aforementioned local government areas.

This will go a long way in helping this administration to maintain its most cherished record of prolonged peace in the state. Any thing to the contrary will only draw government and its citizens closer to protest and needles conflict, with government turning round to blame, harass and brutalize citizens for demanding what is legitimately their constitutionally guaranteed right to choose.

It is therefore our candid and patriotic opinion that the social media has advantages which outweigh any of its unintended consequences and it is in light of the foregoing that we oppose the proposed bill before the Nigerian senate, entitled: “Protection from Internet falsehood and Manipulation in Internet Transmission and Correspondence in Nigeria Bill, 2019” and call on all Plateau Legislator in the National Assembly, most especially, the Senate to oppose the passage of the bill as it is anti people and anti democratic in its intentions and content.

The Plateau state government cannot continue to ignore the genuine and patriotic calls for the conduct of elections in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Jos North and Jos South, as this only serves to draw people closer to conflict.

It is a universal fact that government has the responsibility of ensuring the peace, security, good governance and happiness of the people and cannot afford to be seen deliberately stoking the fire as well as acting  as a conflict entrepreneur through endless undemocratic unconditional and anti people transition committees.

Thank you. 

Rev Joshua Sati
On behalf of Plateau Youth G17 Peace and Progress Forum

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Plateau Youth G-17 Position on Social Media Bill and Its Endorsement by Northern Governors’ Forum