The President has recently banned the use of Twittter within the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Most observers can recall that Twitter had offered heavy logistics to the ENDSARS protest in the past. It is also clearly discernible today that Twitter facilitated financial supports for the unprecedentedly daring, misguided, and glaring lawlessness that caused avoidable mayhem with its attendant cost fortune in human and material resources in the Country.
We recall too that the proscribed terrorist organization, IPOB has enjoyed tremendous support and projection from same Twitter for so long till date. It is unheard of, that the organization (a declared terrorist group maiming and killing innocent Nigerians) find so much support with Tweeter that a region of the country is becoming ungovernable.
In the meantime, after the Federal Government had carefully studied the situation and seeing the escalation in crisis and havoc done by IPOB and ESN especially, the President made a courageous statement on Tweeter to warn terrorist organizations informing them of the readiness to handle them in proportion.
At any rate, Twitter misread (deliberately or otherwise) and twisted the statement of the President, deleted the Presidential tweet and attempted to regulate or muffle the President on matters of such height of National Security.
The President having resolved to keep Nigeria’s sovereignty and security, banned Tweeter on the 4th of June ,2021
We, at PAG ( political Awareness Group) reject any attempt by the Twitter company or any other being, body or institution to undermine Nigeria Security and/ or Sovereignty; physically or digitally.
We affirm that the freedom of expression of the citizens is not, by the ban, breached as we have many other law abiding digital and electronics media that still abound and remain usefully intact in Nigeria. Trite that Nigeria is only being compelled now to join other Nations who have had leadership cause to take such proactive steps, even in Europe.
We reject any attempt to corner the President into silence on National Security matter which is his immediate responsibility.
We reject any attempt by Twitter and/ or any other organization for that matter to aid or abet terrorism or any subversive elements within or outside Nigeria to overtly or covertly compromise Nigeria National security.
We call on the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to also regulate all other social media outfits operating in the Country, as well, as a matter of necessity.
We also call on the Federal Government to seek enabling tax from all Media outfits as she does on conventional media houses.
CONCLUSION
We identify with strong United Nigerian Nation. We decry all acts of crude, uncivil, and needlessly unconstitutional hypes, agitations, and simulations that can further worsen current situations rather than help harmony.
We reason and stand with the Federal Government on the official ban of Tweeter and other subversive elements including destructive organisations like Boko Haram, IPOB, SWAP, etc. We also seize this opportunity to advise President Muhammad Buhari, regarding open grazing crisis, on need for him to ensure that Nigerian citizens have no cause to doubt his long established reputation for just leadership and firm discipline even as a unique military gentleman.
We remain confident of God’s mercy upon Nigeria while enjoining civil and constructive dialogues among Nigeria’s diverse peoples.
Barrister Abdul-Waheed A. Olowonjaye,
Chairman.
Hon. Abass Agbara,
Secretary.
