Nigerians, especially those active on social media, can now
celebrate as the Senate withdrew the Frivolous Petitions bill
notoriously dubbed the anti-social media bill on Tuesday. The controversial bill was seen as an attempt to restrict
freedom of expression.
The withdrawal of the bill followed the report of the upper
chamber’s Committee on Human Rights and Legal Matters submitted by David Umar
on Tuesday. The report made it clear the bill amounted to violation of
citizens’ rights, and contradicted extant laws, imposing duty of investigation
on petitioners and serving as stumbling block to the fight against corruption.
Therefore, reading the recommendation of the Committee, Mr.
Umaru recommended that the bill be withdrawn by the Senate to safeguard
democracy and citizens’ freedom of expression.
The report was adopted by the Senate after gaining
favourable voice vote called by the Ike Ekweremadu, deputy Senate President.
Ironically, the report of the jettison of the bill by the
Senate was received with low response on social media perhaps overwhelmed by
the controversy over the NLC strike over the hike in pump price of Petrol. Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, however took to Twitter
to celebrate the ‘achievement’ of the Senate
I'm sure glad the bill has disposed with. No one wants to go to jail for baring their mind on social media. lol!
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