The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly opposed the proposed Social Media Shutdown Bill currently before the National Assembly, warning that it is a deliberate attempt by the Federal Government to suppress free speech ahead of the 2027 general election. In a statement shared on X, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, criticized the bill as a sign of the Tinubu administration’s lack of confidence in its ability to win the next election based on its performance. He argued that a government truly confident in its record would focus on delivering results rather than seeking ways to control public discourse. Abdullahi emphasized that the bill threatens every Nigerian’s fundamental right to free expression and should be rejected by all citizens.
The ADC’s stance follows a similar call from the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), which has urged the National Assembly to withdraw the controversial legislation. SERAP, in a formal letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, warned that the bill could lead to the shutdown or exclusion of major social media platforms operating in Nigeria. The organization highlighted that the proposal grants sweeping powers that could violate the constitutional rights of millions of Nigerians, particularly their rights to freedom of expression and access to information. SERAP also pointed out that the bill’s requirement for social media companies and bloggers to establish physical offices with verifiable addresses in Nigeria may disproportionately affect small-scale digital content creators and independent voices.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko, passed its second reading in the Senate in March 2025 and is now under review by the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security. Nwoko has maintained that the legislation is not aimed at silencing social media users but rather at improving tax collection from digital businesses and enhancing regulatory oversight. He stated that the absence of local offices has made it difficult to resolve user complaints, enforce regulations, and generate employment opportunities within the digital economy. Despite these claims, critics argue that the bill’s broad provisions could be easily misused to stifle dissent and limit online activism, especially during election periods.
As the bill moves through legislative processes, concerns continue to grow over its potential impact on digital freedom and democratic participation in Nigeria. The debate reflects a wider national conversation about the balance between regulation and rights in the digital age. The outcome of this legislative process will have lasting implications for how Nigerians engage with information and express themselves online in the years to come.
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