Aisha Buhari, the wife of Pesident Muhammadu Buhari, has declared support for the proposed regulation of social media in Nigeria.
KanyiDaily had reported that the senate introduced a bill to regulate social media and prevent the spreading and broadcasting of falsehood and manipulations using social media platforms via internet broadcasts and transmissions.
Since the social media bill passed second reading at the Senate, politicians, key opinion leaders, and the Nigerian populace have kicked against it saying the bill is a threat to Nigerians’ freedom of speech and the nation’s democracy.
Speaking at the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) general assembly meeting in Abuja on Friday, Aisha said China has been able to control the use of social media for its 1.3 billion population, adding that she doesn’t see why Nigeria with only 180 million people cannot attempt to adopt such measure.
“On this issue of social media, you cannot just sit in the comfort of your house and tweet that the Vice President has resigned. It is a serious issue,” Aisha said.
“If China can control over 1.3 billion people on social media, I see no reason why Nigeria cannot attempt controlling only 180 million people,” she said.
Aisha also lamented that things are getting out of hand in the country as the people do not have access to basic amenities, despite having governors and ministers who are supposed to do the needful.
“We should either fasten our seatbelt or do the needful or we will all regret it very soon because, at the rate things are going, things are getting completely out of hand,” she said.
“The VP (Yemi Osinbajo) is here, some ministers are here, they are supposed to do justice to the situation.
“People cannot afford potable water in this country while we have governors. Since this is the highest decision-making body of Islamic affairs, for those that are listening, we should fear God, and we should know that one day, we will return to God and account for our deeds here on earth.”