#EndSARS: S/West Govs Back Social Media Regulation, Ask Buhari To Adjust Security Architecture

Governors and traditional leaders from the South West have backed the federal government’s bid to regulate social media to check the spread of “fake news” and “hate speech” in the country.

The South West leaders have also called on the federal government to deploy “more police presence” in the region to address security challenges facing it.

The South West leaders also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to adjust Nigeria’s security architecture for effective management of the security challenges facing the country.

The demands above were contained in a communique issued by the South West leaders after their meeting with a presidential delegation led by President Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari.

The meeting, which held in Lagos on Sunday, had Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Rotimi Akeredolu, Gboyega Oyetola, Kayode Fayemi, Seyi Makinde and Dapo Abiodun in attendance.

Serving federal ministers on the presidential delegation were the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed and the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, amongst others.

Some of the traditional rulers present were the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi.

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, and Director General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi Magaji, were also in attendance.

The communique, which was signed on behalf of the participants by Governor Akeredolu and the Ooni of Ife, reads: “The security architecture of the country requires adjustment to adequately address the threats and realities of insecurity in the country. There should be more police presence in communities in the Southwest states.

“A comprehensive programme that addresses youth employment and empowerment should be prioritised. Closer coordination and complementary between the States and the Federal Government. Curricular of tertiary institutions should be reviewed, with emphasis placed on skills acquisition and entrepreneurship.”

On the federal government’s bid to regulate the use of social media, the south west leaders said, “We recognise the damaging and negative impact of fake and false news, and we worry about its destructive and dangerous potency. We call on Federal Government to use the instrumentality of existing laws and regulations bench-marked from other countries to provide safeguards against the spread of fake news. The 2015 Cyber Act must also be fully used.”

The south west leaders also thanked President Buhari for his, “firm handling of the aftermaths of the (EndSARS) protest,” noting that, “While there are legitimate concerns contained in the initial ENDSARS movement, these have been hijacked by criminal and other elements with ulterior and negative forces and degenerated into anarchy.

“There is need to undertake preventive actions aimed at prevention of repeat of what happened in the country following the ENDSARS demonstrators. Security needs to be strengthened in all states.

“We wish to encourage the Nigeria Police by responding to their needs and appeal to them to do more to protect lives and properties and enhance security all over the country.

“We call for specific measures and proposals to repair damage done to the physical infrastructure and economic assets of the South West.”