Nigerians have deviced ways to circumvent the federal government’s ban on global microblogging giant, Twitter as they have opted for the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to circumvent the suspension of Twitter by the Federal Government.
It would be recalled that on Friday, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information, announced the suspension of the social media platform’s operation in Nigeria.
The minister based the action on the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.
However, many have expressed dissatisfaction with the development, highlighting the benefits of the microblogging site.
Below are some reactions.
Meanwhile, human rights group, Amnesty International, has demanded an immediate reversal of the suspension of the operations of Twitter.
On Friday, Minister of Information, announced that the Federal Government had suspended the microblogging site over the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.
The action of the government had generated different reactions.
In a statement, Amnesty International said the suspension is not compatible with Nigeria’s international obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
“Amnesty International condemns the Nigerian government’s suspension of Twitter in Nigeria — a social media widely used by Nigerians to exercise their human rights, including their rights to freedom of expression and access to information.”
“We call on the #Nigerian authorities to immediately reverse the unlawful suspension and other plans to gag the media, repress the civic space, and undermine Nigerians’ human rights.
“This action is clearly inconsistent and incompatible with Nigeria’s international obligations including under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”
The Federal Government took the action days after Twitter yanked off a tweet of President Muhammadu Buhari that it said violated its rules.
The platform had flagged one of Buhari’s tweets on the 1967 civil war.
