In recent times, reports of hate speech in Nigeria have reached the print and electronic media, as well as social media. Tension comes to mind here. This is quite unfortunate.

The military is not comfortable with the unfolding drama, and Maj. Gen. John Enenche, director of defense information, actually said so.

Enenche spoke harshly about social media now under surveillance by the military for hate speech, anti-government information, and security.

It is the task of the military to contribute to maintaining our country as an indivisible entity. God bless Nigeria.

Muhammadu Buhari, our beloved president, returned from a medical vacation abroad to tell us that some of the discussions on social media, while he was away, crossed the line and left him in distress.

Freedom of expression gives people the right to speak, speak and speak. But what they say and how they say it could have negative or positive effects on the system. Words are powerful for better or for worse, you already know this.

Buhari’s comments may have encouraged the military to establish a media center to filter and react to all anti-government, anti-government, and anti-security comments online and address them accordingly.

But the Lagos, Nigeria-based Partnership for Media and Democracy (PAMED) called on the federal government to stop the military from holding nightly vigils on social media.

Why? It says that it is a violation of the rights of Nigerians to freedom of expression and privacy of their communications guaranteed by our constitution and international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a party.

Lanre Arogundade, Director, International Press Center (IPC), Edetaen Ojo, Executive Director, Media Rights Agenda (MRA) and Akin Akingbulu, Executive Director of the Institute of Media and Society (IMS), left this in the military.

The group is concerned that the measures provide enormous opportunities for abuse of power and violation of the fundamental rights and freedoms of Nigerians.

He spoke that freedom of expression is protected by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the African Charter on Human and Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Finally, PAMED demanded that the military immediately withdraw the threat to monitor social media, as it is the antithesis of democratic principles and values.

You should also dismantle the media centers that you might have set up for this unwanted purpose.

They are two faces of the same coin. Is it the FG, the army, PAMED or social media that has crossed the line? Deep reflection, please.