Twitter has assured Nigerians that there’s still a way to access the biggest microblogging website after the government suspended its operation in Africa’s most populous country.
Recall the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed announced that the government was forced to take this seemingly extreme measure because of “the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence”.
In a statement released on Saturday (June 5) through its official Twitter policy account, the company expressed deep concern over the blocking of access to its platform in Nigeria. Twitter said the use of social media in accessing the information on ‘open internet’ is a fundamental human right in the contemporary setup.
The statement read; ”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.”
In a related development, the Socio-Economic Rights And Accountability Project (SERAP) has decided to sue the Nigerian Government following the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria.
SERAP plans to sue the government over the suspension claiming the government is infringing upon the right of the people to freely express themselves.
SERAP wrote; “We’re suing Nigerian authorities over their ILLEGAL indefinite suspension of Twitter in Nigeria. Nigerians have a right to freedom of expression and access to information including online, and we plan to fight to keep it that way.
“@NigeriaGov, we’ll see you in court.”
