The internet airspace has been set abuzz over the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, calling social media a “terrorist organisation” that must be urgently dealt with to preserve national security.
He spoke during the 17th executive committee meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Tuesday, lamenting the role of social media in spreading misinformation and inciting unrest across the country.
“What happened has happened. It can’t come and be through social media. That’s one terrorist organisation…social media.
“What they do… somebody will sit in his comfort zone and formulate stories and you will think that it is true. So, social media is a terrorist organisation that we must deal with. Security agencies must deal with this terrorist organisation called social media.”
VERYDARKMAN TACKLES SULTAN
In reaction, VDM Nigerian activist and critic Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan or VDM, faulted the stand of Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar III.
The reaction by VDM has in itself generated further reactions by a group of Northerners who threatened to deal with him should he fail to withdraw the video.
VDM shared a video where he explained that such a sweeping generalization was disheartening to individuals like himself using social media to champion justice and raise awareness on critical issues.
He said: “With all due respect to the Sultan of Sokoto, it is quite disheartening for people like me to hear social media described as a terrorist organisation.
“As a respected royal figure and father to the nation, I believe more research should be done before making such strong claims. That said, since I now know you engage with social media, I have a message I hope you will help relay to those in power. Thank you, sir.”
VDM emphasized the positive impact of social media, arguing that its benefits significantly outweighed its drawbacks.
NORTHERN NIGERIA YOUTHS
The Northern Nigeria Youths circulated a video aimed at VDM for calling out Sultan of Sokoto.
The group said: “You have 48 hours to withdraw and apologize to Sultan of Sokoto over the statement made against him.”
RITA EDOCHIE WEIGHS IN ON THE ISSUE
Nollywood Actress, Rita Edochie, backed VeryDarkMan against the threat by the Arewa youth movement.
She said on Instagram: “48 HOURS FOR WHAT EXACTLY?
“THERE IS CERTAINLY NO APOLOGY THAT SHOULD BE TENDERED FOR SPEAKING THE TRUTH .
“MY GREAT SON VERY DARK HAS ALWAYS BEEN A MAN OF TRUTH FROM THE VERY DAY HE FIGURED ON SOCIAL MEDIA TILL TODAY , HE HAS NEVER STOPPED SPEAKING THE TRUTH AND STANDING BY THE TRUTH ???? .
“DRAWING REFERENCE TO THE CLIPS TRENDING , INVOLVING THE SULTAN OF SOKOTO AND VERY DARK MAN , IT IS REALLY GLARING TO SAY THAT NIGERIANS HATE TO HEAR THE TRUTH.”
