The government of Osun State has announced that it will create a Cybercrime Action Committee to address the spread of fake news in the state.
Kolapo Alimi, the Commissioner for Information and Public Engagement, stated on Sunday that the decision to establish the committee is necessary to clean up the political environment and ensure that politics and governance happen in a responsible, decent, and honest manner.
This action comes after a social media conflict between the supporters of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party and the opposition All Progressives Congress concerning governance issues and party members' personalities.
The commissioner mentioned that the increasing fake news in the state is having a negative impact on both the government and the opposition.
He explained that the committee, based in the Ministry of Justice, consists of journalists and legal professionals. Its goal is to prevent the spread of fake news, regardless of the perpetrators.
The committee will enforce relevant sections of the Cybercrime Act of 2015 to ensure that all stakeholders operate within the law and enjoy their fundamental human rights.
The committee would also refer to Section 24 (1) of the Cybercrime Act, 2015, which addresses offenses related to sending offensive or false messages through computer systems or networks.
Alimi stated that the committee would hold its first meeting today (Monday).
In response to this, Osun APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, criticized it as an attempt to silence the opposition and empower the governor as a dictator.
Lawal also referred to the committee as a last-minute effort to instill fear in citizens who questioned Adeleke’s alleged award of N50 billion public road contracts to unqualified companies.
He said that Osun APC is prepared to oppose all oppressive policies through legal means.
He mentioned that it is illogical for a governor who has protected his chief propagandist from arrest to now attempt to combat cyber bullying.
He added that Governor Adeleke is under pressure to defend his corruption-friendly government due to recent scrutiny and criticism regarding the award of multi-billion road/flyover contracts.
The party wants Governor Adeleke to know that no matter what he does, they will not give up their rights to act as a strong opposition to his government, which they see as backward, incompetent, and corrupt, for the benefit of the people of the state.
