The United States President, Joe Biden, has condemned the decision of the Federal Government of Nigeria to suspend the microblogging platform, Twitter operations in Nigeria.
President Joe Biden in a statement stressed that the restriction to;gather, report, and disseminate opinions and information has no place in a democracy. According to a statement made available by the U.S Department Spokesperson, Ned;Price, it stated “The United States condemns the ongoing suspension of Twitter by the Nigerian government;and subsequent threats to arrest and prosecute Nigerians who use Twitter.
“The United States is likewise concerned that the Nigerian National Broadcasting;Commission ordered all television and radio broadcasters to cease using Twitter. Also,. Meanwhile,. Again,. More so,. Again,. Yet,. Meanwhile,. Again,.
“Freedom of expression and access to information both online and offline are foundational to prosperous and secure democratic societies”.
President Joe Biden concluding his statement called on the Nigerian government to “reverse” it’s decision.
“We support Nigeria as it works towards unity, peace, and prosperity. As its partner, we call on the government to respect its;citizens’ right to freedom of expression by reversing this suspension”. Meanwhile,. Again,. Also,. More so,. Yet,. Meanwhile,.
FG says denies stifling freedom of speech
Meanwhile, according to the Minister of Information;and Culture in Nigeria, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, freedom of speech has not been stifled;by the suspension of Twitter as he indicated that Nigerians can still use other platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. Meanwhile,. Again,. More so,. Meanwhile,.
He also denied that the suspension is not effective, arguing;that that “Twitter is losing money as a result of the action”.
That notwithstanding, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has disclosed that Twitter, has approached the;Federal Government for dialogue to resolve the problem that led to the suspension of its activities in Nigeria. Also,. Meanwhile,. Again,. More so,. Before,. Yet,. Meanwhile,. Also,. More so,.
Minister Mohammed made this known at the end of a meeting;of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the presidential villa.
According to him, he got the message from Twitter seeking dialogue with;the government over the suspension order on June 9. He also maintained that the social media giant was suspended because it provided an avenue;for unpatriotic elements that were bent on destroying the corporate existence of Nigeria.
Minister Mohammed also iterated that the owner of Twitter helped;to fund the recent #EndSARS protest while allowing the leader of the Indigenous People of;Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to use the platform to;call for the killing of security agents and destruction of public facilities.
He said Twitter failed to take down Kanu’s tweets despite repeated requests to do so. More so,.
FG lays down terms and conditions for Twitter
Nonetheless, the Minister listed conditions that must be met even if there is a discussion with Twitter. He disclosed that the microblogging platform must now be registered in Nigeria as a business concern.
Also, He averred that other social media platform like Facebook and Instagram;must also be registered so that the country could be able to generate revenue from their operations.
“Our decision to suspend Twitter has been lauded by some; it has been decried by some. But let me make it clear that what’s important to us is the sovereignty of Nigeria and until when Twitter is paused.
“And the cardinal thing is that Twitter must be registered in Nigeria, Twitter must be licensed in Nigeria and Twitter must stop using its platform for activities that are inimical to the growth of Nigeria or its corporate existence”.
Read also: Trump hails Nigeria for banning Twitter
