The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the proposed Social Media Shutdown Bill before the National Assembly, alleging that it reflects the President Bola Tinubu-led administration’s lack of confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, made the remarks in a post shared on his X account on Wednesday, where he argued that the proposed legislation was aimed at restricting freedom of expression rather than strengthening regulation.

According to Abdullahi, “The proposed Social Media Shutdown Bill working its way through the APC-dominated National Assembly tells us everything that we need to know about how confident the Tinubu government is about its chances in 2027.”

He contended that governments with strong public approval focus on governance instead of seeking to regulate public discourse.

“A government that is confident in its record does not spend its time looking for new ways to control where Nigerians can speak. It spends its time giving Nigerians something to applaud,” he wrote.

The ADC spokesman further alleged that attempts to regulate social media often follow a familiar pattern among governments seeking to suppress criticism.

“Every scared government eventually reaches for the same playbook: dress censorship up as regulation, call it reform, and hope that nobody notices,” Abdullahi stated.

Calling for public opposition to the proposed legislation, he argued that the measure poses a threat to citizens’ constitutional right to free expression.

“This bill deserves to be rejected by all Nigerians, not because it threatens social media companies, but because it threatens every Nigerian’s right to speak freely,” he added.

The proposed bill has continued to generate debate, with supporters arguing it is intended to address online abuse and misinformation, while critics insist it could undermine freedom of speech and civic engagement.