Atiku, Melaye, Omokri react to Twitter Ban
Reactions have trailed the Federal Government’s indefinite suspension of the operations of one of the world’s biggest social media platform, Twitter, in Nigeria.
Many tweeps have warned that the recent posture of the government could lead to an imminent ‘cyberquake’.
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Friday, made the announcement which many interpreted as retaliation to the deleted tweet of the President Muhammadu Buhari.
Defending the position of the federal government, Mohammed stressed that “the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.
“The Minister said the Federal Government has also directed the National Broadcasting l Commission (NBC) to immediately commence the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria.”
The announcement has attracted thousands of reactions from Nigerians, including former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar as well as former Senator, Dino Melaye, amongst others.
A sarcastic Melaye expressed concerns that the government made its suspension pronouncement through the same medium it suspended.
“Naija Govt sha. Using Twitter platform to announce Twitter suspension. Na im Baba Fela dey call babanla nonsense. Buhari is trying to eat Beans with okro soup and 21 days old Kunu to push it down.”
Former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar also posted a cryptic tweet mocking the decision.
“Hopefully, this isn’t my last tweet. #smile,” he wrote.
A former presidential, Reno Omokri, urged the platform ‘landlord,’ Jack Dorsey to ignore the suspension.
“Twitter brought @MBuhari to power. He can’t climb the ladder to the top then prevent others from using it. @Facebook also deleted his genocidal post. Will he also suspend Facebook? The Buhari government has no means of enforcing the suspension. Even officials of the Buhari regime are still on Twitter.”
A social media influencer, @OgbeniDipo wondered if the government deliberated well on the decision before making the shocking announcement.
“Does President Buhari and the federal government know how much young Nigerians make on social media platforms like Twitter daily? Does Lai Mohammed know the number of jobs being sustained by Twitter in Nigeria Flag of Nigeria? What is wrong with these people?”
Another tweep, @ayosogunro said, “Is there any intelligent person left in the Federal Government of Nigeria? Who runs this country and comes up with these silly ideas?
– The Nation
