The Oyo State House of Assembly has formally called upon the state government to take decisive action against the proliferation of misinformation and fake news, particularly as the region begins to shift its focus toward the 2027 election cycle. During a plenary session held in Ibadan on Tuesday, lawmakers expressed deep apprehension regarding the rising trend of unverified information circulating across various social media platforms. The motion, titled “Need for the Executive Arm of Government Through Relevant Communication Agencies to Take Necessary Steps to Curb the Spread of Misinformation and Falsehood on Social Media Ahead of the Electioneering Period,” was sponsored by Waheed Akintayo, representing Oluyole State Constituency under the APM banner.
In his presentation, Mr. Akintayo emphasized that the unchecked spread of falsehoods is not merely an inconvenience but a significant threat to the stability of the state. He argued that the current digital environment, characterized by the rapid dissemination of unverified claims, is fostering unnecessary panic, anxiety, and deep-seated distrust among the populace. By undermining confidence in established public institutions, these digital narratives, according to Akintayo, pose a palpable threat to the peace and security of Oyo State. He urged the executive arm of government to proactively partner with communication agencies and critical stakeholders to institutionalize responsible social media usage before the political climate becomes even more volatile.
The motion gained strong support from fellow lawmakers, including Babajide Adebayo (APM-Ibadan North II), who seconded the proposal. Mr. Adebayo directed his criticism at “self-acclaimed” political influencers and public commentators, whom he accused of using social media in a reckless and irresponsible manner to stir up public sentiment. Joining the debate, Olusola Owolabi (APM-Ibadan North-East II) added that a coordinated, statewide strategy is essential to improve public awareness. He underscored that efforts must be made to educate the public on the dangers of consuming and sharing false information, which he noted has the potential to mislead citizens and create irreparable rifts in the community.
Addressing the assembly, the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, went to great lengths to clarify the legislative intent behind the resolution. He moved to preemptively address concerns regarding potential censorship, stating clearly that the move is not intended to suppress the fundamental right to freedom of expression or limit the ability of citizens to hold the government accountable. Instead, he framed the motion as a necessary intervention against the deliberate abuse of digital platforms. Mr. Ogundoyin maintained that while information is undeniably a source of power in a democratic society, its misuse through the intentional peddling of lies constitutes a direct threat to the democratic process.
The Speaker commended the sponsors for bringing the motion to the floor at such a critical juncture, noting that the timing is essential given the way digital information now dictates the flow of public opinion and decision-making. He stressed that the onus of responsibility also lies with the digital end-users, asserting that citizens must adopt a culture of verification before broadcasting content. Following extensive deliberation among the members, the motion was put to a voice vote and subsequently passed unanimously, signalling a unified front among the lawmakers to tackle the digital misinformation crisis as the state prepares for future political activities.
As the session drew to a close, Speaker Ogundoyin turned his attention to administrative matters, notifying the house of the impending annual recess expected to commence within the next one or two weeks. He directed his colleagues to prioritize the completion of all pending legislative assignments and ensure that any outstanding committee reports are filed before they break for the holidays. With the mission to stabilize the state’s information landscape firmly on the legislative agenda, the Oyo State House of Assembly adjourned its plenary session until June 30, leaving the executive arm the task of crafting the strategies required to implement the mandate.
