Twitter Ban: FG to Lift Ban Soon
The Federal Government has said the ban on the microblogging site Twitter would soon be resolved.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the virtual Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting which Vice President Yemi Osinbajo presided over at the First Lady’s Conference room, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Recall that the Federal Government indefinitely banned Twitter on June 4, days after the microblogging site deleted a tweet by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) on the Mazi Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB saying it violates its rules.
Since it’s a ban, various calls have been made to the government to lift the ban, saying it infringes on peoples rights. However, indications were raised on August 11 that the ban would soon be lifted.
The minister who updated the Twitter ban in Nigeria and the interface with the microblogging site said, “The end for amicable resolution is very much in sight.”
“We appreciate the patience of Nigerians. I want to assure you that we have made tremendous progress. We have met with Twitter both physically and in writing. We are almost there.
“The engagement has been extremely positive without any acrimony. We have made it clear what we want from Twitter.”
The Federal Government has urged Twitter to establish a legal presence in the country and register as a Nigerian company with an address to be recognised and legally operate in the country.
In the words of Mohammed, “Thank you very much. Even Twitter itself, two days ago, gave what I will call a progress report on our talks with them. And I think if I want to quote them rightly, it has been productive and quite respectful.
“And as to how soon is soon, right? I want to assure you that the Twitter operation has been suspended and when it will be restored is much, much shorter. That I can assure you that it is by far. In other words, if the operation has been suspended for about 100 days now, I can tell (you) that we’re just actually talking about a few, just a few more days now.
“What we’re trying to do is the changes that have been going on, but we need to dot the i’s and cross the t’s, but I can assure us that we’re not mindful of the anxiety of Nigerians, and both parties are working very hard to put a closure on the matter.
“And like Twitter itself said the changes have been very, very productive on both parties. It has not been advisory at all. And it’s quite respectful. Thank you very much.”
