Most young people in Nigeria today are, no doubt, digital natives like their peers in other parts of the world. However, following the recent successful #EndSars protests, they have become online 'mob-dictators', displaying bullying-power that is already killing the spirit of online freedom of expression among fellow young people who harbour dissenting opinions.

What is really the difference between the government's intolerance of opposing political opinions and the amazing intolerance of young people towards any opinion or advice that is adjudged and branded, by their social media influencers, as deviating from the popular pro-youth opinion?

A couple of days ago, Omotola Kehinde was bullied into deleting her innocently probing tweet because it was not in line with mainstream EndSars narratives. Yet, again Desmond Elliot's slip in the heat of passionate speech in parliament was treated as though he was a serial murderer. His wife was not spared. Mr. Elliot's explanations, apology and even tears on live TV didn't seem to impress these young people who are relishing their new digital power to intimidate.

Now, every young person is constrained to follow the mainstream youth influencers sheepishly or risk being 'cancelled'. Herd mentality is being enthroned. Nobody wants to lose fanbase, followership or being blocked by influencers enemy of the youth. This is not only anti-democratic, it inhibits independent and critical reasoning, which are necessary for problem solving.

The truth is even if in 2023 elections, majority of young Nigerians succeeded in enthroning a new political order, there will still quantum of young people who will be in opposition, employing the same social media to blackmail sitting government including the use of fake news. So, are these youths going to be imprisoned and social media banned when time comes? Tolerance and heterogeneity of opinion are critical in any democracy and the young people in Nigeria must lead the way in preaching and practising this values both online and offline.

In conclusion, it doesn't matter if an opinion or criticism is for or against the government or for or against the mainstream youth influencers' narratives, free speech MUST be allowed to flow. Let independent reasoning florish. Let new ideas be mooted. Let our democracy grow.

God bless Nigeria!

The truth is that it's a fire that can't be quenched, it just has to run its course and thanks to the wrong decisions of this government, it has been escalated.

nthony10:
The truth is that it's a fire that can't be quenched, it just has to run its course and thanks to the wrong decisions of this government, it has been escalated.

Ok.