Ebonyi Governor Nwifuru Urges FG to Restrict Social Media in Nigeria

Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru

By Nabob Ogbonna, Abakaliki

Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, has called on the Federal Government to impose stricter regulations on the use of social media platforms in Nigeria.

According to the governor, such measures would help curb the proliferation of fake news, which he said has become increasingly rampant and detrimental to the advancement of good governance, particularly under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Governor Nwifuru made the call on Friday while receiving the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, at the Executive Council Chambers in Abakaliki, during the minister’s one-day working visit to the state.

He noted that the growing disconnection between Nigerian youths and agriculture, which once served as a source of pride and sustenance, has contributed to widespread hunger and frustration,often expressed negatively through social media.

“It is high time we placed serious restrictions on the use of social media platforms,” “These days, we wake up to read baseless reports online,someone is declared dead and in the mortuary, only for us to find the person alive and well. Yet, nothing is done to the purveyors of such falsehoods. No country should operate like that.” Nwifuru said.

Reflecting on past values, he added:”When we were growing up, farming was our pride and joy. Today, many of our youths have abandoned agriculture, and when hunger strikes, they channel their anger through social media.”

Governor Nwifuru expressed concern that the efforts of various ministries under the Tinubu administration were being overshadowed or misrepresented due to the prevalence of fake news online.

“Under President Tinubu, no ministry is redundant,they are all working hard. Unfortunately, the work being done is not adequately reported due to fake news circulating on social media. It is time to impose serious restrictions, particularly on the dissemination of unfounded stories,” he said.

The governor also appealed to President Tinubu to assist Ebonyi State in reviving cement production at the defunct Nigercem factory in Nkalagu, Ishielu Local Government Area.

Earlier in his remarks, Minister Idris stated that the perceived marginalization of the South East during previous administrations had been addressed under President Tinubu’s leadership.

According to him,the current administration has ensured fair representation of the region in both federal appointments and project execution.

“This is the first time since independence that an Igbo man has been appointed Minister of Works—and not only appointed but allowed to carry out his mandate without interference,” Idris said.

He added that the South East holds a strategic position in the Tinubu-led administration and urged continued support for the President.