Dr. Ramonu Abiodun Sanusi
It is unthinkable in this 21st Century, for the Nigerian Senate to nurse the idea of cooking a Bill that will punish severely anyone who writes anything that goes against them without a “proof” or an “evidence” to back it up.
First, these Senators nursing that idea are suspects “a priori” and as a saying goes “a guilty is always afraid,” otherwise, why for God sake, should they think of that obnoxious Bill?
Second, the Nigerian Senators nursing this idea, am sure know nothing about creativity. Creativity is a gift in human beings and Nobody can kill it. If Wole Soyinka did not defy the powers that be, I don’t think that anybody will hear Soyinka’s name beyond his village. That is the power of Creativity for you. If Soyinka had failed to express himself during those days of BRUTAL MILITARY DICTATORSHIP, I don’t think Nigerian Senators will be where they are today, dining, wining and taking coffee at every minute that passes by.
Third, do these Nigerian Senators who are nursing the idea of cooking this ruthless Bill know that many Nigerian Youths find solace in the use of Social Media, to occupy themselves, to amuse themselves, so that they are not depressed, so that they do not think of evil doings because of unemployment that had already reduced them to nothing?
Fourth, do these Nigerian Senators who think of cooking this savage Bill, know that freedom of expression is non-negotiable?
Fifth, do these Nigerian Senators read at all the UN charter on HUMAN RIGHTS and on the violations of HUMAN RIGHTS at all?
Sixth, do these Nigerian Senators remember at all the draconian days of military era in Nigeria and the Decree 24 or so against the freedom of speech and the World reactions then? That was years back? These Senators should take lessons from Muhammadu Buhari on that.
Seventh, are these Nigerian Senators cooking this Bill wearing military uniforms in the Senate Now?
Eighth, do these Nigerian Senators behind this Bill know what DEMOCRACY is all about? I don’t think so. I think it is high time we established a UNIVERSITY OF DEMOCRACY in Nigeria so that any Nigerian thinking of contesting for a position at all, should attend that Institution to learn about governance, the rule of Law, Human rights, the FREEDOM OF SPEECH, among others.
Ninth, there are so many important BILLS lying fallow at the floor of the SENATE for many years unattended to. WHY? and WHY is it that it is the BILL on SOCIAL MEDIA that is so crucial? I don’t think that we have our messiahs in that Senate chamber yet.
THE BEAUTIFUL SENATORS, am sorry to say are Not yet BORN, to borrow some of AYI KWEI ARMAH’s words. NIGERIANS AT HOME AND IN DIASPORA SHOULD RISE UP AND SAY NO TO THIS BILL. Our Youths are already suffering, please don’t compound their problems if you cannot create jobs for them at the SENATE CHAMBER. Don’t provoke our teaming youths further so that they do not provoke you. I REST MY CASE!
Dr Sanusi’s reaction to the proposed Senate Bill on the Social Media was first published on his Facebook page. He is a lecturer at the Department of European Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan
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