CRIMINALIZING SOCIAL MEDIA USE NOT IDEAL-Omokri

As a criticism against the bill by the Senate to criminalize social media in Nigeria, the Special Assistant on Media to the former President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has called on the Senate reconsider the bill and to be aware that freedom of information is necessary in any democracy.

In his TV tweets via his handle, @renoomokri, insisted that the Senate under the leadership of Dr. Bukola Saraki, need to learn from the former president Goodluck Jonathan who was faced with numerous false reports but still signed the Freedom of Information bill to law and never tampered with free speech neither was anyone jailed for their for such reports under his regime

He said, "Senate to take a cue from ex-Pres Jonathan who faced false reports yet NEVER tampered with Free Speech”
“Jonathan, at huge political cost to himself, signed Freedom of Information to law. Senate should let sleeping dogs lie!”

“Throughout Jonathan’s presidency, no one was jailed for speaking his mind. The Senate should not reversed that legacy ”

He said he is sure President Mohammed Buhari will not give his consent to such bill by the law makers, the same way he was sure his former boss, Jonathan would not.

He however pleaded with the Nigeria social media users to be conscious of the way they use the platforms to avoid being used as a scapegoat.

It coud be recalled "Act to Prohibit Frivolous Petitions and other Related Matters, proposed by, Senator Ibn Na’Allah, APC, Kebbi South, the Deputy Senate Leader generated reactions on the social media as many alleged that a section of the bill recommended two-year jail term for false publication on the platform."