The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Governor Aminu Masari to reverse the ban on school WhatsApp groups and the use of social media in the state.

SERAP urged the governor to reverse the ban which it says will have a disproportionate impact on the fundamental rights of everyone in the state.

The group in a statement issued on Wednesday threatened legal action against the ban which it labelled illegal and unconstitutional.

SERAP said, “We urge Katsina state governor Aminu Masari to immediately reverse the ban on School WhatsApp groups and use of social media in schools and to respect freedom of expression.

“We’ll take legal action if this illegal and unconstitutional action is not immediately reversed.

“This ban will have a significantly disproportionate impact on the fundamental rights of everyone in the state, including the rights to education, freedom of expression and access to information.

“The ban has the character of collective punishment. It’s patently contrary to the Nigerian Constitution, 1999 [as amended] and the country’s obligations including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

“The ban also fails to meet the standards required under constitutional and international human rights law to limit freedom of expression.

“The ban will disrupt the free exchange of ideas in schools and individuals’ ability to connect with one another on matters of shared concern.”

The group urged the Katsina State authorities to guarantee freedom of expression in schools and to encourage an open and transparent dialogue.

SERAP pointed out that “The state has reportedly ordered its schools and civil servants to stop using WhatsApp for information dissemination.

“The state Ministry of Education reportedly ordered principals of government schools to abolish all existing Whatsapp groups in their respective schools.

“Government workers have also reportedly been asked to avoid the use of the social media platforms.”

BREAKING: We urge Katsina state governor Aminu Masari to immediately reverse the ban on School WhatsApp groups and use of social media in schools and to respect freedom of expression.

We’ll take legal action if this illegal and unconstitutional action is not immediately reversed

— SERAP (@SERAPNigeria) December 9, 2020