#KeepItOn: Twitter Promises To Bypass Buhari’s Ban And Restore Access To Nigerians

Twitter has reacted to the indefinite suspension of its operations by the Federal Government, saying it is working to ensure Nigerians bypass the ban placed on its Uniform Resource Locator (URL).

KanyiDaily recalls that the Federal Government had suspended Twitter operations indefinitely in Nigeria on Friday, June 4, 2021.

Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed said the government was forced to act because of “the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence”.

Reacting on its public policy page on Saturday, Twitter said it’s deeply concerned by the blocking of its platform in Nigeria, noting that the access to the free and open internet is an essential human right in modern society.

The social media giant also promised to restore access for all Nigerians who rely on its platform to communicate and connect with the rest of the world.

“We are deeply concerned by the blocking of Twitter in Nigeria. Access to the free and #openinternet is an essential human right in modern society.

“We will work to restore access for all those in Nigeria who rely on Twitter to communicate and connect with the world. #KeepitOn,” Twitter wrote.

We are deeply concerned by the blocking of Twitter in Nigeria. Access to the free and #OpenInternet is an essential human right in modern society.

We will work to restore access for all those in Nigeria who rely on Twitter to communicate and connect with the world. #KeepitOn

— Global Government Affairs (@GlobalAffairs) June 5, 2021

The suspension comes just two days after Twitter deleted President Buhari’s tweet which threatened to deal with “pro-Biafran secessionist” in “the language they will understand”.

Twitter said the offensive tweet violated the social media company’s abusive behavior policy, leading to a 12-hour suspension of President Buhari’s account.

Yesterday, Facebook also joined Twitter in removing President Buhari’s civil war controversial message on its platform, saying that it violates its standards and capable if inciting violence.