Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, sponsor of the bill, “Protection from Internet Falsehoods, Manipulations and other Related Matters bill, 2019,” midway into the public hearing on Monday left amid stiff opposition to the bill.
The public hearing which started at about 11.00am was declared open by the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan.
Stakeholders from the civil society organizations, private and public sectors were present in their numbers with the presentation by stakeholders in vehement opposition to the bill.
The sponsor of the bill, who was listening to presentations with rapt attention became uncomfortable at a point and had to excuse himself.
Mr. Omoyele Sowore, Publisher of Sahara Reporters who asked for the whereabouts of the sponsor of the Anti-social Media Bill when he was asked to speak.
In tactical response, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters, Senator Bamidele Opeyemi said, he has another meeting to attend.
“Mr. Chairman, where is the sponsor of the bill? He is nowhere to be seen and we are discussing his bill.”
Among government agencies that opposed the bill was the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria.
BON Chairman, Saad Ibrahim insisted that the bill was a duplication of existing laws, noting that it must be redefined for it to work.
“That the bill appears to be undefined and that some parts should be deleted if it must be passed. There are provisions in the proposed bill that are unnecessary.
Nigeria’s Governors Forum represented by Abdulrazaq Bello said, their views were being collated, adding that their State Houses of Assembly were already working on that.
He explained further that the governors forum Secretariat was empowered to take action, noting that governor’s forum got to know about the public hearing a fortnight ago.
Source: Daily Post