A recent wave of online misinformation has prompted Senator Ned Nwoko to once again push for stricter oversight of social media platforms operating in Nigeria. His renewed advocacy follows a viral video in which a man falsely claimed the senator orchestrated a plot against his estranged wife, actress Regina Daniels—an allegation later withdrawn but widely circulated before the truth emerged.
Nwoko, writing on X, used the incident as an example of what he described as the increasingly dangerous consequences of an unregulated digital environment. According to him, sensational and unfounded accusations have become a tool for attention-seekers hoping to gather clicks, views, and sympathy at the expense of the reputations of others.
He argued that this pattern persists partly because individuals who publish defamatory claims often face no meaningful consequences and can easily exploit public emotions. In his view, this lack of accountability reinforces a cycle of reckless online behaviour.
Central to his message was a call for major social media companies to be held responsible for the content they host. Nwoko maintained that while local media organisations adhere to Nigeria’s defamation laws, foreign digital platforms continue to operate without comparable obligations—despite benefiting from Nigerian users and the country’s digital economy.
The senator reiterated his support for a pending social media regulation bill in the National Assembly, a proposal that would require platforms to formally register in Nigeria and establish physical offices. He argued that such a framework would not only introduce accountability but also create wider benefits, including jobs, technology transfer, tax contributions, and an easier path to legal redress when disputes arise.
Nwoko also noted that better oversight could aid security agencies in tracking criminal activity and ensure that sensitive Nigerian data is stored within the country rather than entirely controlled abroad.
He urged citizens to support the bill, saying its goal is not to stifle free speech but to ensure that digital platforms operate “with responsibility and respect for the laws of the land.” According to him, without effective regulation, anyone could become a target of baseless online attacks—“It’s Senator Ned today; who knows who is next?”