Nigeria’s Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Barrister Festus Keyamo, SAN on Monday incurred the wrath of Nigerians on social media after his comment backing the regulation of social media posts.
Keyamo in a set of tweets had said that the regulation of social media is the way to go in order to bring sanity into the society.
He took a swipe at those condemning the bill and asked them to unblock and apologise to those who irritated them with insults.
He stressed that there should be some penal consequences for those who deliberately go online to post false stories under the umbrella of freedom of speech.
Those so-called overnight Social Media ‘activists’ who oppose the Social Media Bill should first stop blocking those who irritate them with insults, unblock all those they have blocked and apologise to them. You can’t be intolerant and ask others to be. Practice what you preach.
— Festus Keyamo, SAN (@fkeyamo) December 2, 2019
Some cannot differentiate the Social Media Bill from the Hate Speech Bill. Whilst no reasonable person will support death sentence for hate speech, you can’t come online to say something totally untrue that can put other lives in danger without some kind of penal consequence
— Festus Keyamo, SAN (@fkeyamo) December 2, 2019
The real agitation should be for Parliament, in line with S.36(12) of the 1999 Constitution, to clearly define the TYPES of false & insensitive posts that would attract penal consequences, so that govt doesn’t abuse it. But to leave everyone to just post ANYTHING is unacceptable
— Festus Keyamo, SAN (@fkeyamo) December 2, 2019
Civil suits on Defamation of character only take care of PERSONAL INSULTS. I don’t subscribe to punishment for that. But you cannot come online to deliberately post false stories, in the guise of ‘freedom of speech’, that can set the nation ablaze without some penal consequences
— Festus Keyamo, SAN (@fkeyamo) December 2, 2019
Keyamo’s comments on Monday drew condemnation and outrage from Nigerians.
See some tweets;
Blocking trolls on social media isn’t the same as locking people up in underground cells and keeping them jailed even after the courts have asked them to be released on bail. This comparison is off key Mr Keyamo. https://t.co/zggp3rEGC5
— Dr. Dípò Awójídé (@OgbeniDipo) December 2, 2019
After sending Aisha & Zahra, they have sent Festus Keyamo to support the Social Media Bill. Osibanjo is the next Van Dijk that will be sent to Defend this Bill. Social Media has Aso Rock Shaking, they hate to see it. https://t.co/1yZ7FsabBz
— King Nonny ???? (@Zaddy_nomso) December 2, 2019
Festus Keyamo @fkeyamo
This is pathetic!
As a Minister of the Fed Republic of Nigeria appointed to serve the people you CANNOT speak to citizens this way. If you want to, KINDLY RESIGN & speak in your individual capacity!
At least they only block! Your principal locks them up! https://t.co/gSFV6Pqu94— Aisha Yesufu (@AishaYesufu) December 2, 2019
To @fkeyamo:.
If you can make your assets declaration form public, I’ll deny myself of the right to unblock as guaranteed by Twitter Policy.This is my challenge to Mr. Keyamo. Let us test the honour of your SAN. A simple place to test your own “Activism.” https://t.co/Pi4POw8cZh
— Sir.Ariyo-Dare Atoye (@AriyoAristotle) December 2, 2019
In a democracy sir, it should NOT be the law for people to be ‘sensitive’ when they talk about the people they voted for. How many false posts about the government actually circulate that warrants a bill like this? We have way more pressing issues in Nigeria and even YOU know it! https://t.co/r4FiXNAoL4
— Simi (@SympLySimi) December 2, 2019
Social media is for socialisation. Individuals can choose what they do with their space. But the government interfering in what people do with their personal space is the problem. Stop tweeting nonsense. Government isn’t a human being and should not be pained cos of criticism.
— ThankGod Ukachukwu (@kcnaija) December 2, 2019
Sad to see a SAN talk like this…
I pay taxes that pays your huge bill, your family is eating big from Nigerians
Yet you make these unfounded comparison.
I can block people on social media, it’s my page.
The Senate and executive can’t silence people that pay for them.Sad
— C.Of. Enugu (@CofEnugu) December 2, 2019
Mr. Minister, are you suggesting that Nigerians irritate @nassnigeria @AsoRock with insults, hence the attemp to block citizens voices through the anti-social media bill?
Is this an acknowledgement that this government is intolerant like the “activists?” #SayNoToSocialMediaBill— Ichie Laz (@donlaz4u) December 2, 2019
Late Pa Gani Fawehinmi is shaking his head right now ????
I remember you days of activism with him,alongside pa Femi Falana and co. May God grant us liberty oo. People pay to use the internet, yet you want to stifle them cos you are in power now. ????— OTA is Bae????ISAIAH 61:7 DOUBLE HONOUR ???? (@amenaghawonota) December 2, 2019
Tell the senator to block those who insults him too and not hang someone for just talking then clap for politicians for stealing.
A govt that is against what people say on social media is the same govt that celebrates election despite the number of people that lost their lives
— EGO (@Egwuogodwin) December 2, 2019
This is an example of stomach infrastructure SAN, you forgot you are elected into office & paid with public funds, you can be criticized by the public bcos you are working for the people. I can block anyone on Twitter bcos i do not work for them and they don’t pay my bills ????????
— Strong Truth (@strong_truth) December 2, 2019
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