US has sent strong message to Buhari over Nigeria Twitter ban.
Newsone had reported earlier that the Federal Government of Nigeria has suspended the operations of microblogging and social networking service, Twitter, in Nigeria indefinitely.
This online news platform understands that the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria came after the micro-blogging site, Twitter deleted President Muhammadu Buhari’s tweet threatening genocide
Newsone reported that Twitter deleted a post by President on Tuesday. The President had condemned the attacks on police stations, prisons and offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission, especially in the South-East, warning that those supporting insurrection and violence in the country would be shocked.
The President had tweeted, “Many of those misbehaving today are too young to be aware of the destruction and loss of lives that occurred during the Nigerian Civil War. Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand.”
Newsone Nigeria reports that the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed subsequently knocked Twitter for supporting insurrection in Nigeria since last October during the #EndSARS protests which ended in the destruction of lives and properties all over the country.
Reacting consequently in a statement, the minister on Friday, said the Buhari government has suspended the activities of Twitter in the country.
The statement titled, ‘FG Suspends Twitter’s Operations in Nigeria’, read, “The Federal Government has suspended, indefinitely, the operations of the microblogging and social networking service, Twitter, in Nigeria.
“The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, announced the suspension in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, citing the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.”
However, on Saturday, the United States (US) Mission in Nigeria, has issued a statement condemning the ban, stating that the Federal Government’s decision to ban the micro-blogging site in Nigeria “undermines Nigerians’ ability to exercise this fundamental freedom and sends a poor message to its citizens, investors and businesses.”
Read US statement on Nigeria Twitter ban
The statement reads as thus; “Nigeria’s constitution provides for freedom of expression. The Government’s recent #Twitterban undermines Nigerians’ ability to exercise this fundamental freedom and sends a poor message to its citizens, investors and businesses.
“Banning social media and curbing every citizen’s ability to seek, receive, and impart information undermines fundamental freedoms.
“As President Biden has stated, our need for individual expression, open public conversation, and accountability has never been greater.
“The path to a more secure Nigeria lies in more, not less communication, alongside concerted efforts toward unity, peace, and prosperity,” the statement added.
