Information and Culture Minister Alhaji Lai Mohammed said the microblogging platform Twitter has approached the federal government for a dialogue to resolve the issue which led to the suspension of its activities in Nigeria. .
Mohammed informed State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday.
According to him, he received the message from Twitter requesting a dialogue with the government on the stay order on June 9.
He argued that the social media giant was suspended because it provided a path for unpatriotic elements who were determined to destroy Nigeria’s corporate existence.
According to him, the owner of Twitter helped fund the recent #EndSARS protest while allowing the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to use the platform to call for the assassination of security agents and destruction of public facilities. .
He said Twitter failed to delete Kanu’s tweets despite repeated requests to do so.
Mohammed listed the conditions that must be met even if there is a discussion with Twitter, including that he must now be registered in Nigeria as a business enterprise.
He said other social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram must also be registered so that the country can generate income from their operations.
“Our decision to suspend Twitter has been welcomed by some; it has been criticized by some.
“But let me clarify that what is important to us is the sovereignty of Nigeria and until Twitter is put on hold.
“And the bottom line is that Twitter must be registered in Nigeria, Twitter must be allowed in Nigeria, and Twitter must stop using its platform for activities that are contrary to Nigeria’s growth or its existence as a business. “
According to the government spokesperson, freedom of expression was not stifled by the suspension of Twitter as he claimed that Nigerians can still use other platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
He also denied that the suspension is not effective, arguing that “Twitter is losing money as a result of the action”.
