Harsh comments have continued to trail the support given to the social media bill by the Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari in her latest salvo.
President Muhammadu Buhari’s wife had on Friday, urged the federal government to regulate social media like the Chinese government is doing to its 1.3 billion citizens, censoring every comment within its social media space including contents from the mainstream media operating in the country.
“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. 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 used the occasion to call on state governors and ministers to deliver democratic dividends to citizens at the event, saying people cannot afford potable water in the country again.
However, at the event Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III disagreed with the calls for social media regulation, stating that there were enough laws to deal with the abuse of the platforms.
The controversial bill titled: ‘Protection from internet falsehoods and manipulation and other related matters bill 2019,’ was sponsored by Senator Muhammad Sani Musa and had scaled through the second reading at the Nigerian Senate.
Nigerians might have hailed the Wife of the President on a number of occasions over her comments adjudged to be fiery and honest in the past. Her comments had exposed her husband’s administration to criticisms during the run-up to the last general elections. But this time, on Twitter, a lot of Tweets coming from Nigerians are not sparring her for backing the Social Media Bill, seen by many as an attempt to suppress citizens’ freedom of expression as guarantee by the Nigerian constitution.
Here are some of the reactions to Aisha’s comments on Twitter:
"If China can control over 1.3bn people on social media, I see no reason why Nigeria cannot control only 180m people" – Aisha Buhari.
Is it not a miracle to see that our First Lady cannot distinguish btw Unitary / One Party State and Democratic State with all our education. 😂😭 pic.twitter.com/NV1RTpUtxs
— AyeMojubar ☣️ (@ayemojubar) November 30, 2019
Hi Aisha Buhari, What China did that really helped their country was banning porn and all sorts of immorality out of their internet space. That’s what you should do not find a way to suppress your opposition with a deceitful bill. We should be able to criticize the gov when wrong
— Airreys,Mj&Weekndfreak (@Wizofomaha16) November 29, 2019
I agree with Aisha Buhari that China regulates TV.
Aisha should also agree with China on the policy of hanging corrupt politicians.
She should also agree with China on limiting the family members of their politicians from studying and living abroad.#mompha #NairaMarley— Emperor (@DeLordEmperor) November 30, 2019
Surely Aisha Buhari is smart enough to realise that China is not the kind of nation we should emulate when it comes to social media policies.
The entire country practically has a gag order against anti-govt rhetorics.Nigeria won't function well on communist ideals.
— Adunni Adaora Achebe (@Adunni_Achebe) November 30, 2019
“If China can control over 1.3bn people on social media, I see no reason why Nigeria cannot attempt controlling only 180m pple” ~ Aisha Buhari
Aisha fails to understand that China unlike Nigeria is not a democratic nation, so they could afford to be that repressive.
— Young Otutu (@YoungOtutu) November 30, 2019
Dear…. Aisha Buhari
Now I know Buhari was Right, – Maybe you truly belong in the kitchen.
China Executes their corrupt politicians, let’s attempt that.
Social media is not the problem of Nigeria, Corrupt politicians are the problem we have. https://t.co/nOnQR8JwP8
— Dat Osas Cruz (@theOsasCruz) November 30, 2019
When Kyari's daughter wanted to beat Aisha Buhari, social media saved her, when her husband wanted to secretly take a second wife in her absence, we let her know through social media and she rushed home. Today Aisha want social media regulated. It's ok🚶🚶
— 🛑PROF Ozo-Nna-Nyere-Nwa (Affidavit) (@nwa_anambra) November 30, 2019
Dear Aisha Buhari, if your husband wants to control the social media, fine! But we want laws that will execute corrupt leaders who steal our money, drag Nigeria into recession twice.
— EnyEnE | #EndSars (@iamEnyene) November 29, 2019
One minute Aisha Buhari is acting like she's with the masses, the next minute she's supporting the social media bill and playing solicitor for Yahaya Bello.
Who the hell is this woman? 🤔
— 🔯 OTUNBA LAMBA 🕉️ (@Elhay16) November 30, 2019
