There are palpable fears that the Federal Government may jam telecommunications and internet services across the country during the election period, even as it has denied such plan.
According to sources, the action may be necessitated to prevent undue interference with the elections processes, curb fake news, false alarms, and unofficial result announcements through social media platforms and telecoms services.
Speaking with Daily Independent, Olusola Teniola, president, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), said the role telecommunications play in the socio-economic lives of the people could not be underestimated. He said the impact of any shutdown would be felt by all Nigerians, including the government.
“There is no doubt to the fact that the government has the power to do many things. But the implications of any action need to be weighed before execution.
“However, I doubt if the government will effect a shutdown because of the implications the action might cause. Mind you, the government at all levels depends on telecommunications services.
“There would be economic, security, and social backfire if the Federal Government goes ahead to jam the telecoms frequency equipment.
“You can imagine how the health sector would be if there is a shutdown
“How will the doctors respond to emergencies? How will the security officers effectively checkmate crimes, even at this period of elections?”
Teniola further said: “I think we need the telecoms services more at this period than at any other time. I will advise the government to avoid doing that at all cost. But if they go ahead as being rumoured, it will be unfortunate.”
Also commenting, Deolu Ogunbanjo, president, National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS), cautioned the government on any plan to shut down internet or telecoms service.
According to him, “It is very possible for the Federal Government to shut down the telecoms system, but the due process needs to be followed.
“I think they cannot jam the service with formal information to the general public.
“If such an action is taken without any notice to the subscribers, the association will seek redress through legal means.”
During the week, the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, said the Federal Government was hatching a plan to jam all telecommunications networks from 5 a.m on Saturday till 5 p.m on Sunday.
Fayose, who claimed that the equipment for deactivation of telecoms services arrived the country from Israel last week and was a test run on Thursday and Friday, said the plan was to make it impossible for Nigerians to use the internet or make phone calls during the presidential and National Assembly elections.
During the week, Samuel Woodhams, Researcher at Top10VPN, disclosed that there were mounting fears that access to the internet and social media services could soon be restricted.
But the National Security Adviser (NSA) has responded to the rumours, maintaining that the government had no plans to interfere with telecommunications operators.
According to Woodhams, “Given the uncertainty, it’s worth investigating the major events that have prompted people to fear the use of an internet kill switch in the country at this significant time.”
As many now perceive Buhari to be willing to act outside of the law, fears of similar actions – such as shutting down access to the internet – have been heightened.
The author of Techpoint Africa, Victor Ekwealor, said the Federal Government had not inspired much confidence in its citizens to be trusted on matters like this.
On January 31, 2019, the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, accused the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) of directing the Independent National Electoral Commissions (INEC) to work with telecommunications providers to restrict access to the internet this weekend.
Speaking at the Government House, Port Harcourt, he said: “The National Security Adviser has met with INEC to ensure that internet service providers shut down the internet so that foreign bodies won’t see what’s happening in the country during the elections.”
This accusation gained a significant amount of traction online.
The NSA has, however, responded to the accusations to debunk the allegation which they termed “misinformation.”
The NSA, in a statement, stated that the government “remains committed to protecting the rights of the public to access Information and Communication Technology facilities.”
Some analysts said if the internet was restricted, it could lead to even more damaging outcomes, with citizens being left in the dark over the results and a greater potential for vote tampering.
“After the 2015 election placed Nigeria firmly on a democratic trajectory, it’s vital that an internet shutdown is not used to undermine the democratic processes and destabilise the country,” Woodhams added.
In many African countries, there has been constitutional concern about the sanctity of digital freedoms. The increasing use of internet shutdowns throughout the continent has also led to a normalisation of the practice.
According to a report by Access Now, there were 21 internet shutdowns across Africa last year and, with three instances in the first month of 2019, this number is set to rise. (Daily Independent)
