US, Canada, Ireland, EU, UK, Dissatisfied With Nigeria Twitter ban, says decision violates fundamental freedom

The US Mission in Nigeria has responded to the decision by the Nigerian government on the Twitter ban.

Nigeria’s communications minister, Lai Mohammed, announced the ban in a statement on Friday, citing the platform’s continued usage for actions that threaten Nigeria’s business survival as the basis for the suspension.

The US Mission, on the other hand, claimed in a statement issued on its Twitter account on Saturday that the decision is in violation of the country’s constitution.

Nigeria’s constitution provides for freedom of expression. The government’s recent #Twitterban undermines Nigerians’ ability to exercise this fundamental freedom and sends a poor message to its citizens, investors, and businesses.

Banning social media and curbing every citizen’s ability to seek, receive, and impart information undermines fundamental freedoms.

As President Biden has stated, our need for individual expression, open public conversation, and accountability has never been greater. The path to a more secure Nigeria lies in more, not less communication, alongside concerted efforts toward unity, peace, and prosperity,” the
statement said.

#KeepitOn pic.twitter.com/OzwvlG0Woi

— U.S. Mission Nigeria (@USinNigeria) June 5, 2021

In a joint press release on the Twitter ban, the diplomatic missions of Canada, the European Union (Delegation to Nigeria), the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America expressed their dissatisfaction with Nigeria Government’s decision to suspend #Twitter, and propose registration requirements for other social media platforms.

The diplomatic missions of Canada, the European Union (Delegation to Nigeria), the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America convey our disappointment over Nigeria’s announcement suspending #Twitter and proposing registration requirements for other social media.

We strongly support the fundamental human rights of free expression and access to information as pillars of democracy in Nigeria around the world and these rights apply online as well as offline. Banning systems of expression is not the answer.

These measures inhibit access to information and commerce at precisely the moment when Nigeria needs to foster inclusive dialogue and expression of opinions, as well as share vital information in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The path to a more secure Nigeria lies in more, not less, communication to accompany the concerted efforts of Nigeria’s citizens in fulsome dialogue toward unity, peace, and prosperity. As Nigeria’s partners, we stand ready to assist in achieving these goals.

See the tweet below;

We strongly support the fundamental human right of free expression and access to information as a pillar of democracy in Nigeria as around the world and these rights apply online as well as offline.

Joint statement re Govt of Nigeria’s Twitter suspension ⬇️ #TwitterBan pic.twitter.com/KdpevxQhal

— U.S. Mission Nigeria (@USinNigeria) June 5, 2021

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