Two leading clerics, Pastor Samuel Abiara and Bishop David Oyedepo, have disagreed over the controversial social media bill in the Senate.
Oyedepo said it was a bad idea while Abiara noted it was desirable to curb excesses.
Abiara said at a press briefing in Ibadan on Saturday:
“It is good that social media has expanded the information space globally. People connect and communicate better than before. But that privilege has been abused many times by unscrupulous elements who have been spreading fake news and libeling government officials and church leaders. People should be free to talk but once they report false or fake news, there should be consequences. They should not be allowed to get away with abusing the platform.”
On his part, Oyedepo said what the government ought to tackle, apart from the fact that the bill could engender witch-hunt when passed into law, is ‘hate act’.
He said during a sermon:
“They are looking for hate speech, they are not looking for hate act. Which one is worse, hate speech or hate act? They’ll see somebody and cut his head and you’re free and they’ll see somebody and say you’re stupid then you die. Can you imagine that? It is a stone age mentality. But I think we’re free from it now, but there is nothing wrong in trying to make attempt. Do they think we are all dummies?”
