Adeboye, Kumuyi, others defy FG on Twitter ban
…Twitter suspends Facebook’s owner account for attacking Buhari
…NBC directs all TV, radio stations to deactivate Twitter handle
…Ban violators will know their offence in court — FG
By Ayo Fadimu
Top Nigerian elites and Pastors including Pastor Enoch Adeboye (General Overseer, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG) and William Kumuyi (General Superintendent of Deeper Life Bible Church) have refused to stop using their popular micro blogging and social networking service, Twitter despite a subsisting ban by the Federal Government.
It would be recalled that last week, the Federal government through Minister of Information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has announced the indefinite suspension of activities of Twitter in Nigeria, this was followed by an order to prosecute anyone still using the site in Nigeria by the Attorney general and Minister of Justice, Abuhakar Malami.
But the two respected Clergymen insisted thay their church members are in all the continents of the world.
While tweeting in his verified twitter handle, Pastor Adeboye tweeted: “The Redeemed Christian Church of God is domiciled in more than 170 Nations & Territories. The tweets here are in accordance to Article 19 of the UN universal declaration of Human Rights.
Similarly, Pastor Kumuyi also tweeted, “In view of the Twitter ban in Nigeria, please note that the content shared on this handle is targeted at a global audience in more than 5 continents and over 100 Nations and we share the content from any of these locations,” Pastor William F. Kumuyi (@pastorwf_kumuyi) June 7, 2021.
But the in its reaction, the office of the Attorney General insisted that use of Twitter in the country is illegal and Nigerians still using Twitter will know the law they violate when charged to court.
The media aide of the Minister, Umar Gwandu while responding to enquiry from our Correspondent said the offenders violate a federal government law but will know the particular law they violate in court.
“We will invite journalists at the time of prosecution, and they will know which laws are used to prosecute. The point is Twitter has been banned. Anybody should not try to use Twitter.
At the time we are gathering them and assembling them in court, they will get to know which law they are violating.”
When pressed further on the need to tell Nigerians which particular law they are violating by continuing using Twitter, Gwandu said it was the “the federal government laws.”
“Tell Nigerians that the government has banned Twitter and anybody who uses it will be penalised. The point is they violated the ban. They are violating the federal government laws” he was quoted as saying.
In another twist, Twitter has suspended the account of the co-founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg
Zuckerberg, who alsó operates a twitter handle had attacked President Muhammadu Buhari on his tweeter handle. In a tweet, Zuckerberg said, “The Nigerian president needs medical check-up. He maybe suffering from the inability to think properly.”
Our correspondent gathered that his profile on twitter was deleted and account suspended.
In similar vein, the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, NBC, has directed all media houses in Nigeria to suspend Twitter operations with immediate effect.
The directive was contained in a statement issued by the commission public affairs department signed by Professor Armstrong Idachaba in compliance with the federal government recent suspension of the social media platform who, are said to promote activities capable of undermining the corporate existence of the country.
The statement added that stations are advised to uninstall Twitter handles and desist from engaging the platform for information gathering for News and Programmes presentations Especially phone-in.
It further quote the section 2(1) r of the NBC Act entrusts the commission with the responsibility to ensure strict adherence to the national laws, rules and regulations.
Also, Section 3.11.2 of the Nigeria broadcasting code provides that “the broadcaster shall ensure that law enforcement is upheld at all times in a matter depicting that law and order are socially superior to or more desirable than Crime and Anarchy.
However, the NBC enjoins all broadcasters to be patriotic and comply with the directive
In similar vein, the Federal Government says it would restore Twitter operations in Nigeria if the platform would be used responsibly by the citizens.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama disclosed this after a meeting with some of the top envoys of various Diplomatic Missions in Nigeria.
While highlighting that the responsibility of the government is to protect law, order, and human lives, Onyeama made it clear that there is no definite time for lifting the ban.
“The condition would be a responsible use of the social media and that really has to be it.”
“We are not saying that Twitter is threatening the country or any such thing; why we have taken this measure is to stop them to be used as platforms for destabilization and facilitation of criminality or encouragement of criminalities,” Onyeama stated.
Envoys present at the meeting which held at the office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Abuja on Monday included, those of Canada, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland.
The meeting became imperative following a joint reaction by the envoys expressing disappointment at the indefinite suspension of the microblogging platform.
Speaking after the forum, Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, said they had a fruitful deliberation and reviewed the situation.
According to the minister, the security concerns of President Muhammadu Buhari and the steps taken to address them were tabled.
Onyeama said the government acknowledges the roles social media plays and how it swings positively and negatively. He further stressed that the negative aspect has dire consequences and can threaten the unity of the country.
The minister further stated that these concerns have brought about the strong steps taken by the president to maintain the nation’s unity.
He highlighted the need for the envoys to support the country on the Twitter ban, just as they lent their support to fixing the security crisis.
On her part, the US Ambassador, Mary-beth Leonards who spoke on behalf of other envoys, said they want to see Nigeria succeed, and while the challenges could be daunting, they aren’t insurmountable.
She reminded the government that free access to social media, is important and they are happy that the government, is in talks with Twitter.
The diplomatic missions had on Saturday said they were let down by the decision to suspend Twitter operations in Nigeria.
“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 the Government of Nigeria’s announcement suspending #Twitter and proposing registration requirements for other social media,” a joint statement from the missions said.
“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.
“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.”
Bad for Business
Earlier the United States had chided the Nigerian government over its decision.
“Nigeria’s constitution provides for freedom of expression,” a statement from the US Mission in Nigeria said.
“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.”
But the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has condemned “the patently unlawful and unconstitutional directive by NBC to all broadcast stations in the country to suspend the patronage of Twitter with immediate effect.”
The NBC had reportedly stated that the decision followed the suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria by the Federal Government over purported use of the platform for “activities that are capable of undermining the corporate existence of Nigeria.”
But SERAP in a statement today by its deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare stated: “This directive by the NBC is itself unlawful because it is based on another unlawful decision by the Federal Government to suspend Twitter in Nigeria. The NBC’s directive has political interference written all over it. It is a blow to Nigerians’ rights to freedom of expression, media freedom, media independence and diversity. The directive must be immediately withdrawn.”
The statement, read in part: “Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right. This action by the NBC is yet another nail in the coffin for human rights, media freedom and independent journalism under this government.
“The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights should publicly and vigorously express concerns over the Nigerian government’s increasingly brutal crackdown on media freedom, and use all possible means to urge the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to protect and respect freedom of expression.
“The international community should stand with the broadcast stations and journalists and make clear to the Nigerian government that freedom of expression, media freedom, transparency and accountability, as well as respect for the rule of law are essential to democracy.
“The UN and donors should continue to take every opportunity to call on the Nigerian government to rescind the unlawful suspension of Twitter in Nigeria, respect freedom of expression, and media freedom, and hold to account anyone targeting broadcast stations and journalists simply for carrying out their professional duty.”
