Human rights lawyer Dr Maxwell Opara has alleged that the proposed social media regulation bill is a calculated attempt by the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government to silence critics, suppress opposition voices and control political discourse ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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Speaking during an interview with ARISE News, Opara argued that the proposed legislation was not genuinely aimed at addressing defamation, misinformation or harmful online content, but at discouraging activists, civil society organisations and opposition figures from using digital platforms to scrutinise the government and hold public officials accountable.
According to him, any legislation that conflicts with the fundamental rights guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution would be vulnerable to legal challenge and incapable of surviving judicial scrutiny.
“I’m telling you that even if the law is enacted, it will not stand. It is dead on arrival,” he said.
Opara maintained that the proposal represented another attempt to restrict civic participation after public protests had, in his view, become increasingly difficult for Nigerians to organise and sustain.
“Nobody will cage the civil society group. Nobody will stop activists. Nobody will stop the opposition from expressing their grievances,” he declared.
The lawyer also criticised the National Assembly, accusing lawmakers of placing political and personal interests above the welfare and constitutional rights of ordinary Nigerians.
“We have lost hope in the National Assembly. They are there for themselves. They are not there for the masses,” he said.
Opara stressed that criticism, protest and political opposition were essential features of democratic government and should not be suppressed or criminalised through legislation.
“The beauty of democracy is all about criticism. The beauty of democracy is all about protesting,” he stated.
He argued that the timing of the proposed bill, with political activities intensifying ahead of the 2027 elections, raised questions about the government’s real intentions.
According to him, the legislation was intended to prevent Nigerians from using social media to expose government failures, criticise public policies and persuade voters against returning the APC to power.
“This is a calculated attempt to make sure that people did not use social media to expose them and their policies, to let the voters know why this APC-led government should not come back in 2027,” Opara said.
He insisted that any attempt to restrict online expression would face legal resistance and widespread public opposition, adding that the proposed law would be difficult to enforce against citizens determined to exercise their constitutional rights.
“Nigerians will not obey it. Take it to the bank,” he stated.
Opara urged the government to redirect its attention towards tackling insecurity, terrorism and corruption rather than pursuing legislation which, according to him, could undermine freedom of expression, civic engagement and democratic accountability.
The lawyer’s comments reflect continuing concerns among civil society groups and opposition voices that social media regulation could be used to target dissenting views, although the government’s stated justification for the proposed legislation was not contained in the interview.
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