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<p>The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) strongly criticized Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele’s recent remarks advocating for the regulation of social media in Nigeria. The comments were made during the presentation of nomination forms to Governor Biodun Oyebanji, organized by the Ekiti State University Alumni Solidarity Group.</p><div class="PXf8YBFU" style="clear:both;float:left;width:100%;margin:0 0 20px 0;"><script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>

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<p>Senator Bamidele described social media as a growing threat to Nigeria’s peace, reigniting a debate that has persisted for over a decade.</p>
<p>CITAD, however in a statement by its executive director Malam Y.Z Yau warned that such a statement especially coming from a high-ranking government official should not be dismissed as casual rhetoric. Instead, it reflects a deepening trend within the political establishment to undermine freedom of expression online.</p>
<p>Y Z Yau referenced a recent report by the Media Rights Agenda (MRA), which documented over 141 incidents of attacks on journalists under the current administration.</p>
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<p>CITAD argued that these developments point to a broader governmental mindset that seeks to erode digital rights and silence dissent.</p>
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<p>In its detailed response, CITAD emphasized that Nigeria’s escalating insecurity is not caused by social media but by systemic failures in governance. The group identified injustice, poverty, unemployment, and unresolved communal conflicts as the true drivers of unrest. It asserted that social media, far from being a threat, serves as a vital platform for expressing grievances and fostering dialogue tools that have been used effectively in other nations to restore peace.</p>
<p>CITAD accused the government of scapegoating digital platforms to deflect attention from its own shortcomings. It urged policymakers to reconsider economic and social policies that fuel discontent and youth restiveness, rather than pursuing restrictive measures that infringe on citizens’ rights.</p>
<p>The statement concluded with a call to Senator Bamidele to reflect on his legacy as a former activist for social justice. CITAD appealed to him to champion policies that address hunger, joblessness, insecurity, and social injustice issues that pose real threats to national stability.</p>
<p>As access to social media becomes increasingly recognized as a fundamental right, CITAD warned that any attempt to regulate it under the guise of national security risks undermining the very foundations of Nigeria’s democracy.</p>
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