– Calls for caution
The Imo State House of Assembly has debunked and distanced itself from the false news making rounds in the social and other media, that the state legislature has passed a non-existent “Social Media Regulation Bill” that is purportedly aimed at regulating the activities of online users in the state.
This was contained in a release issued by Emeka Ahaneku, Special Adviser to the Speaker, Rt Hon (Dr) Chiji Collins on Media and Publicity and made available to the press.
The release described the false and misleading information which it said was a subject of discussion on Oziza Radio station, talk show programme “Igboezue” on Tuesday 9th June, 2020, as the handiwork of detractors, fifth columnists and disgruntled elements who are jealous and are bent on scuttling the rising profile of the Dr Chiji Collins led Imo State House of Assembly that is poised to offer unprecedented people-oriented legislation for the good of Imo people and posterity.
It further stated that the state legislature had at no time, conceived, deliberated or moved a motion to that effect and called on Imo people at home and in the diaspora to ignore the false, misleading and unfounded information that emanated from the warped imagination of it’s peddlers.
“Imo people are hereby urged to be careful about what they consume and share with others as news, especially on the social media, in the interest of peace, harmony and mutual co-existence”.
The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor of Imo state, Oguwuike Nwachukwu, in a release he issued in respect of the non-existent bill, exonerated his Principal, Senator Hope Uzodinma from the matter. According to him, the Governor at no time met with or discussed passing of such bill with members of Imo House of Assembly and described it as a figment of the jaundiced imagination of the opposition, aimed at discrediting the present government that has already recorded glaring achievements within a very short time in office.
