The Nigerian government has revealed when it will lift the ban imposed on Twitter activities in the country.
According to the federal government, Nigeria is expected to lift its ban on Twitter before the end of the year.
The Information Minister and culture, Lai Mohammed disclosed this in an exclusive interview with Reuters.
Mohammed noted that the government had reached agreements on seven of 10 requests made to Twitter but was waiting for the company’s response on final issues, including setting up a local office, paying tax locally and cooperating with the government to regulate content and harmful tweets.
“We certainly want to put this behind us before the end of the year,” Mohammed said.
Twitter however declined to comment on the development.
DAILY GIST had reported that the federal government announced the suspension of Twitter’s operations indefinitely in the country.
This was contained in a statement signed on Friday by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and made available to Journalists.
President Buhari had said those misbehaving by attacking police stations, prisons and offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission, especially in the South-East would be treated in the language they understand. The president had also said those plotting the downfall of his administration will soon get the shock of their lives.
”Many of those misbehaving today are too young to be aware of the destruction and loss of lives that occurred during the Nigerian Civil War. Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand.”Buhari had tweeted.
There was however a massive outrage on Twitter as many users accused the president of threatening a section of the country.
They also asked Twitter to suspend the president account, whom they accused of bias.
Twitter then pin-point one of the tweets, saying it violates its rules. Reacting to the development, the Minister of Information and Culture accused Twitter of a double standard.
Mohammed said the social media giant had conveniently ignored inciting tweets by Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and his cohorts.
He said Twitter ignored Kalu’s remarks that encouraged the killing of Police personnel and the show of similar biases during the ENDSARS protest where government and private properties were looted and set on fire, considering it human rights.
Mohammed, who wondered why the organisation now found President Buhari’s tweet offensive, said Twitter’s role is suspicious and Nigeria will not be fooled
The Nigerian government announced the suspension of the popular microblogging site from Nigeria, citing activities that threatens the country’s corporate existence on the platform.
