In a swift move to act as a democrat and not as a dictator, the
president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari has rejected the controversial
social media bill which some members of the senate want to pass into law
to infringe the right of freedom of speech of Nigerians. Edeson Online News has received a press statement by the president distancing himself from the social medial bill.Below is the president's press release relating to the bill:
SOCIAL MEDIA BILL: BUHARI RESTATES COMMITMENT To FREE SPEECH.
President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated the commitment of his administration to the protection of free speech in keeping with democratic tradition.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu who was reacting to the public hostility towards the social media bill now being debated by the Senate, said President Buhari has sworn to defend the constitution of Nigeria and would not lend his hand to anything that is inconsistent with the constitution.
“But he is not averse to lawful regulation, so long as that is done within the ambit of the constitution which he swore to uphold.”
“The President said free speech is central to democratic societies anywhere in the world. The President explained that without free speech, elected representatives
“As a key component of democratic principles,” the President acknowledged that people in democratic societies “are so emotionally attached to free speech that they would defend it with all their might.”
“Malam Garba Shehu explained that President Buhari is fully aware of the public reservations about the proposed legislation but assured that there is no cause for alarm “because the Senate is a democratic senate. The President won’t assent to any legislation that may be inconsistent with the constitution of Nigeria.”
FACEBOOK COMMENTS
President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated the commitment of his administration to the protection of free speech in keeping with democratic tradition.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu who was reacting to the public hostility towards the social media bill now being debated by the Senate, said President Buhari has sworn to defend the constitution of Nigeria and would not lend his hand to anything that is inconsistent with the constitution.
“But he is not averse to lawful regulation, so long as that is done within the ambit of the constitution which he swore to uphold.”
“The President said free speech is central to democratic societies anywhere in the world. The President explained that without free speech, elected representatives
“As a key component of democratic principles,” the President acknowledged that people in democratic societies “are so emotionally attached to free speech that they would defend it with all their might.”
“Malam Garba Shehu explained that President Buhari is fully aware of the public reservations about the proposed legislation but assured that there is no cause for alarm “because the Senate is a democratic senate. The President won’t assent to any legislation that may be inconsistent with the constitution of Nigeria.”
FACEBOOK COMMENTS
Ogunleye Adesoye and 3 others like this.
Eze Solomon Emeka
Do you expect him to approve such?
Endy Edeson
YES but am happy he did not.
Eze Solomon Emeka
You should be sad rather, cos he beat your expectation. I'm not sure you're professional journalist sir. 
Salako Saint's Stephen
Thank God
