Ibadan, June 23, 2026 — The Oyo State House of Assembly has urged the state government to work closely with relevant communication agencies and stakeholders to address the growing challenge of misinformation and the misuse of social media platforms.
The call followed the passage of a motion moved by Mr Waheed Akintayo, representing Oluyole Constituency, during Tuesday’s plenary session in Ibadan.
The motion highlighted the need for proactive measures by the executive arm of government and relevant communication bodies to tackle the spread of false information online as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections.
Presenting the motion, Akintayo expressed concern over the increasing circulation of unverified reports and misleading content across social media platforms, warning that the trend could worsen as election campaigns intensify.
According to him, fake news has continued to fuel fear, uncertainty and mistrust among members of the public, while also undermining confidence in public institutions and threatening social stability.
He urged the government to engage key stakeholders and strengthen public awareness initiatives aimed at promoting responsible use of social media before the situation deteriorates further.
The motion received support from lawmakers, including Mr Babajide Adebayo, representing Ibadan North II Constituency, who seconded it.
Adebayo criticised what he described as the irresponsible conduct of some political influencers, commentators and social media personalities, accusing them of contributing to the spread of misleading information online.
He appealed for greater collaboration between government institutions and relevant agencies to check the growing trend.
Also contributing to the debate, Mr Olusola Owolabi of Ibadan North East II Constituency stressed the importance of sustained public enlightenment campaigns and coordinated efforts to discourage the dissemination of false information capable of disrupting public order.
In his remarks, Speaker of the House, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin, clarified that the objective of the motion was not to restrict freedom of speech or deny citizens the right to express their opinions.
Rather, he said lawmakers were concerned about the deliberate misuse of social media platforms to spread false narratives and deceptive information.
Ogundoyin described the motion as both timely and necessary, noting that information plays a significant role in influencing public perception and decision-making.
He urged residents to exercise caution when using social media and to verify the authenticity of information before sharing it with others.
Following deliberations, the motion was unanimously adopted through a voice vote.
Before bringing the sitting to a close, the Speaker disclosed that the Assembly could commence its annual recess within the next one or two weeks and urged lawmakers to conclude outstanding legislative assignments and submit pending committee reports before the break.
The House subsequently adjourned plenary until June 30 to continue its legislative activities.