Nigerians on social media have lambasted the Federal Government for announcing the suspension of the operations of the microblogging and social networking service, Twitter, in Nigeria.
On Friday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, had announced the suspension in a statement signed by his Special Assistant Segun Adeyemi, citing the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.
PRESS RELEASE
— Fed Min of Info & Cu (@FMICNigeria) June 4, 2021
FG Suspends @Twitter Operations in Nigeria pic.twitter.com/7z5BQ0Mi3U
The Minister said the Federal Government has also directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately commence the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria.
The development comes after Twitter deleted President Muhammadu Buhari’s tweet where he threatened to treat Nigerians “misbehaving” in “the language they understand”.
Buhari had in a tweet on Tuesday stated that his government would get “harder” on those hell-bent on destroying the country.
The microblogging platform also yanked off a video which showed President Muhammadu Buhari threatening to deal with youths of the South-East.
The video, according to Twitter, might have violated the rules or ”may be in response to a valid and properly scoped request from an authorized entity in a given country".
Meanwhile, the Federal Government's announcement of an indefinite suspension has attracted the outrage of Nigerians who viewed the suspension as contrary to freedom of expression.
Many questioned why the Nigerian government would take away such a vital platform from Nigerian youths who make business transactions thereon.
Others have condemned the hypocrisy of the Nigerian government as the announcement was made via the same platform that was supposedly suspended.
Below are the reactions of some Nigerian tweeps:
Federal Government suspends Twitter in Nigeria, announcement was made on Twitter. This same Twitter has been the president’s sole means of communication, how will he talk to Nigerians since he’s ‘not a fan’ of live broadcasts?
— Series Abíọ́dún (@Engr_Series) June 4, 2021
The federal government bans(suspends) Twitter indefinitely in Nigeria. Facebook is next. They are also working on a Social media licensing process, meaning, Even the use of VPN will be tough.
— Darlington(@theDevDarl) June 4, 2021
In Nigeria, the last strand of free speech is about to be taken away.
Protest?
So Federal government suspends Twitter
— Amanda_Sibi (@SibiAmanda) June 4, 2021
In Nigeria
Do they know how much Nigerians make on social media
The little way people are using to help their lives
Another angel is this is our right
What is wrong with these evil men
Breaking news Federal government suspends Twitter operations in Nigeria. Look at a clueless dictator who knows nothing and doesn't want to know. Shame on a clueless dictator, Nigeria will surely outlive you.
— ici Jackal (@icijackal2021) June 4, 2021
Federal Government suspends Twitter in Nigeria. Now I see why Jack chose to place the Headquarter in Ghana instead of Nigeria, A country where the leaders don’t practice democracy?Jack successfully dodged a bullet.
— Shola (@thedopejayy) June 4, 2021
#FederalGovernment suspends twitter yet they passed the information on Twitter. I'm seriously now doubting Nigeria educational system of 1960s pic.twitter.com/SRIrvA6SKG
— Engr. Frankie berry (@FrankieeBerry) June 4, 2021
Federal government suspends Twitter operation in Nigeria yet I can still operate teitter without VPN. Naija na comedy series. UAR I mean. Everyone download VPNs just in case. Buhari you don try . Let’s not forget 6.98charges on USSD, joke! pic.twitter.com/tsZuxWJ0zx
— A Frustrated Nigerian (@_zlater) June 4, 2021
Federal Government suspends Twitter in Nigeria and Buhari hasn’t deleted his handle. In fact, the announcement was made on same Twitter. There’s level to the comic that comes out of Aso-Rock. Rueben Abati didn’t lie about the water they drink in that Villa. Ò má ńyòrò ọpọlọ pic.twitter.com/eqFjlJN68f
— Ọlál’òjé Òjé’ǹpetu (@Free_Naija2020) June 4, 2021
BREAKING: Federal Government suspends Twitter’s Operations in Nigeria.@Twitter has never been an hindrance to incompetency #BreakingNews #AkwaIbomTwitter Femi Adesina
— Mary Johnny (@thatyourcook) June 4, 2021
Breaking: Federal government suspends Twitter from Operating in Nigeria because they deleted Buhari's tweet.
— DEMAGOGUE PhD.senior advocat (@von_Bismack) June 4, 2021
This was the reason why Twitter moved its headquarters to Ghana.
The madman in Aso rock only knows how to destroy, not build.
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Federal Government suspends Twitter operations in Nigeria. We know how this country works, everything is done to favour Dangote. Next thing you’ll see is a social media app with the name ‘DANGWITTER’
— Chlorpheniramine #EndSARS
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