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| President Buhari |
The Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) has condemned the proposed budgetary expenditure of N2.2 billion by the Federal Government earmarked for the Department of State Service (DSS) for the purpose of deploying security protocol to curtail the so called spread of false information on social media. This action is undemocratic, unconstitutional and infringement of personal liberty.
The party in a press statement, said this action of the federal government violates section 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which states that “every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.”
The statement signed by the party's national secretary, Chinedu Bosah, reads further:
"We must not forget that President Muhammadu Buhari benefited from social media campaigns and propaganda during the 2015 general election on the basis of illusion planted in many people. President Muhammadu Buhari-led government is taking this action to gag the people, who are increasingly becoming critical of his government because of the anti-poor policies being implemented.
"SPN does not endorse falsehood in the dissemination of information but the Police approach is never a remedy. As a matter of fact, government at all levels through its organs peddles false information than any other platforms.
"This is so because society is governed undemocratically and most public information are either manipulated or kept secret and such atmosphere is largely responsible for rumours.
"SPN is opposed to a Police State, arbitrary use of power and misuse of public funds. SPN will rather invest the N2.2 billion to create jobs such that will keep about 1200 workers (teachers, medical workers and other social workers) employed and earning N150, 000 monthly.
"SPN stands for freedom of expression and we demand for an open society on the basis of an independent and democratically managed press free of state control and domination by the rich moguls and wherein public information can be accessed easily without exceptions," the statement concluded.
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