…the 8th Senate is afraid
Nigerians became aware last week of a draft bill to “Prohibit Frivolous Petitions and Other Matters Connected Therewith” As at the time Nigerians were becoming aware of it, the bill had passed second reading. This means that the bill is on a fast track to becoming a law in Nigeria.
The author of the bill is Sen. Ibn Na’Allah, a member of the All Progressive Congress (APC) from Kebbi State. One of the major supporters of the bill is Sen. Dino Melaye, also of the APC. The Boko Haram Senator is another supporter.
Sen. Bala Ibn Na’Allah, you may recall, is the National Assembly member who bought a private jet in 2009. He was in the House of Representatives then. He claimed the jet was cheaper to maintain than some of the cars in his garage. Although a lawyer, public reports indicate that Ibn Na’Allah was a used car salesman before he was elected to the House of Representatives in 2003.
Dino, which is what I used to call him before he became senator, is the chairman of senate committee on FCT. He acted briefly as the spokesman of the Senate. No doubt, Dino Melaye has established himself as a very active member of the 8th Senate. He has earned the reputation of what the Igbo man would call “Otimkpu” for Bukola Saraki, the senate president.
In case you are unfamiliar with the bill, like many Nigerians, amongst them senators, here is what a part of the bill states: “Where any person through text message, tweets, WhatsApp or through any social media post any abusive statement knowing same to be false with intent to set the public against any person and group of persons, an institution of government or such other bodies established by law shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction, shall be liable to an imprisonment for two years or a fine of N2,000,000.00 or both fine and imprisonment.”
Another section of the bill proposes a N5M fine for:
“anyone who intentionally propagates false information that could threaten the security of the country or that is capable of inciting the general public against the government through electronic message.”
The proposed Na’Allah bill has serious implications for Nigerians and our nascent democracy. If that bill becomes law we are all at risk of going to jail for such things as mere jokes. People could be jailed for tweeting a joke about a government official or sending it to another friend through Whatsapp. Worse still, the government or anybody in power can set up a citizen by sending materials that may be considered “abusive statement” and just by resending it to another person it becomes an offence for which the citizen may be jailed for 2 years or fined up to N2M. Or both.
You may think this cannot happen in Nigeria. It can. If the Na’Allah bill had been law in 2007, yours truly would have been an ex convict now. When I wrote the story of then candidate Musa Yar’Adua’s demise during the 2007 campaigns, many people thought I was a reckless journalist. The few people who know the real story know that I wasn’t reckless. I had multiple sources confirm the story, including people close to the then president, candidate Yar’Adua and finally a member of Pres.Olusegun Obasanjo’s Cabinet who was also a director in Yar’Adua’s campaign was my last confirming source. Yet, it turned out that the story was a lie! I continue to investigate that story and I am more convinced that the story was sold by the Obasanjo government.
The provision in the Na’Allah bill that requires people to swear to an affidavit before sending a petition to government is stupid and ludicrous. How many people in Na’Alla’s senatorial district have access to a court or notary public? It clearly shows that this senator is out of touch with the realities of life in Nigeria.
Petitions are some of those means by which the citizens act as check on their government. Citizens have the opportunity of calling government’s attention to issues while enjoying some protection. It also gives government access to information which otherwise it would not have. The right to petition your government is one which any responsible person in government should protect at all costs.
The Na’Allah bill signals an ominous sign of things to come in the life of the 8th Senate. What does Bukola Saraki and his cohorts have up their sleeves which have necessitated this pre-emptive strike against our freedom? They are planning a bill that would prevent Nigerians from protesting when they pillage and plunder our common patrimony. Our distinguished or extinguished senators are fancying themselves sovereigns whose actions must not be questioned.
When other countries are seeking better ways to make government and governance closer and accessible to the people the likes of Na’Allah and Dino Melaye are erecting obstacles for Nigerians. They are trying to criminalize a citizen’s right to free speech. What are they afraid of? Have they forgotten that they work for the Nigerian people? Can you imagine your staff jailing you for saying things about him/her s/he considers a lie?
The senate president, Bukola Saraki, understandably wants this bill which gags Nigerians and criminalizes free speech to be passed into law. After all, his greatest critics have been people in the social media. It was through social media that allegations of corruption were first made against the then governor of Kwara state when this magazine exposed his gold lined mansion in London several years ago.
In what has become a litany of disappointments with Dino Melaye, anti corruption crusader/activist turned senator, Dino Melaye has become a leading voice in the campaign to gag and censure Nigerians. He is now a celebrated oppressor of the Nigerian people whom he claimed he was fighting for.
I recall vividly the day Dino and I rescued El-Ruffai, now governor of Kaduna State, from the grips of a Colonel who tried to seize El-Ruffai’s phone because he took pictures with it. This was during the “Occupy Nigeria” campaign against increase in the pump price of fuel.
I can still hear Dino screaming: “This is democracy…you cannot trample on the rights of the common people…You cannot take our freedom away!” This happened at the intersection of IBB way and Adetokunbo Ademola nicknamed, “Freedom Square.”
Since Dino became a senator I have sometimes wondered if he experienced an epiphany in the senate. Nothing really leads me to believe that. I am more persuaded that Dino Melaye is an authoritarian at heart but used activism and progressive persona to achieve his political ambition. Unfortunately for him he is unravelling so soon before even consolidating his hold or claim on power.
Dino Melaye is a classic case of someone riding on the backs of the common people of Nigeria to power and as soon as he gets the power treats the people with disgust. He goes out of his way to undermine the people and devices schemes to keep them in perpetual servitude. This is the unfortunate attitude of most Nigerian activists and social crusaders who get into power. They are worse, in every respect, than the people they seek to overthrow.
Public office is not and should not be only about perks. It is also about responsibility which may sometimes lead to discomfort, and could include being called names in the public space. People should not be imprisoned for it. Those who find that they are not thick skinned enough to take it should make way. There are millions waiting to take their place.
For me, the Na’Allah bill is one which I intend to contravene if and when the 8th Senate is stupid enough to pass it into law. I hope Pres. Muhammadu Buhari will veto it. If he chooses to be on the side of the oppressors and sign that bill into law, I declare here and now that I shall pack my bags waiting for them to haul me off to jail. It will be time well served!
By Jonathan Elendu
Email: jelendu@aol.com Twitter: jelendu1
