Northern governors call for censorship of social media

Governors of northern states have called for the censorship of social media to “avoid the spread of fake news”.

At a meeting in Kaduna on Monday, the governors said the effect of uncontrolled social media is devastating.

They also condemned the “subversive” actions of some #EndSARS protesters, saying some people took advantage of peaceful protest to push their “separative agenda”.

“In furtherance to its resolution to further engage with the critical stakeholders of the North, the Northern States Governors Forum held a meeting today Monday 2nd November, 2020 at the Council Chamber, Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna,” the governors said in a statement.

“After extensive deliberations the following resolutions were arrived at: appreciates the roles of Traditional rulers in containing the menace of Endsars protests in the north. Collectively agreed that traditional rulers be given formal roles in the governance architecture of the Country.

“The meeting rejects and condemns the subversive actions of the Endsars protest. The superlative agitations and other change regime actions outside the ballot Box soon take advantage of the peaceful protests to push for their seperative agenda. The meeting endorse the indivisibility, indissolubility and oneness of the Nation.

“The meeting took note of the devastating effect of the uncontrolled social media in spreading fake news. Therefore, calls for major control mechanism and censorship of the social media practice in Nigeria.”

The governors also asked security agencies to keep “strict watch” on the federal capital territory (FCT) to guide against “unwarranted and destructives protests” and to safeguard critical assets of the nation.

The meeting was attended by traditional rulers, ministers and leaders of the national assembly.

One week ago, Lai Mohammed, minister of information, had said social media will destroy Nigeria if it is not regulated.

Earlier on Monday, Sunday Dare, minister of youth and sport, said it is important to regulate social media.

The minister said though the federal government had the option of shutting down social media during the #EndSARS protests, it chose not to do because it is “committed to the rights of every citizen”.

Many Nigerians have kicked against the planned regulation of social media. Already, a bill on the regulation is before the national assembly and has scaled second reading at the senate.