REACTIONS TRAIL LIFTING OF TWITTER BAN IN NIGERIA

 

Following an approval by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Federal Government has lifted the suspension of Twitter operations in the country with effect from 12 am, January 13, 2022.

The decision was contained in a statement on Wednesday by Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, the Chairman Technical Committee Nigeria-Twitter Engagement and Director-General National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

It reads in part, “The Federal Government of Nigeria directs me to inform the public that President Muhammadu Buhari, has approved the lifting of the suspension of Twitter operation in Nigeria effective from 12 am tonight, January 13, 2022.

“The approval was given following a memo written to the President by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Pantami.

“In the Memo, the Minister updated and requested the President’s approval for the lifting based on the Technical Committee Nigeria-Twitter Engagement’s recommendation.”

Twitter deleting President Buhari’s tweet triggered the suspension of its operations in Nigeria in June 2021.

However, the lifting of Twitter Ban by the Buhari-led administration has been met with numerous reactions, but gratitude isn’t one of them.

Following reports on Wednesday evening of the lifting of the ban, Twitter users took to the platform to bash the federal government for engaging in a futile effort that achieved nothing positive.

According to some users, the Twitter ban is only being lifted because elections are around the corner, and politicians need the space for campaigning.

@Frankedoho The Federal Government should just say they have decided to come back to Twitter instead of claiming to lift the ban.

@dondekojo The Nigerian Government did not gain anything from the ban. No concession from twitter, they ruined the business of young people and decided to shrink the civic space.

@MrTomide The decision to lift Twitter ban is because active politicking has started and APC needs to shape narratives on social media. They see us as fools with ephemeral thought span.

@_SirWilliam_ Also don’t forget. Nigerian telcos agreed to banTwitter without a court order. An illegal law was carried with the full cooperation of the Nigerian private sector.. Clowns

@bipohae Border closure – imposed without reason, reversed without any objective Restriction on SIM sales – imposed without reason, reversed without any objective Twitter Ban – imposed without reason, reversed without any objective An administration absolutely bereft of sound judgment

@frankdonga_ My heart and tweet goes out to all the small businesses that lost revenue and opportunities during the TwitterBan. May you find creative ways to recover speedily. I’ll do my best to help with some free promotions.

@Henry_Kingg Blocked off Twitter for 7 months in Nigeria just to make a non-existent point. Shamelessly walked back the ban after getting exactly nothing from Twitter. Can’t even be competent at being a dictator.