Politics
Nigerian govt brands EU, UK, US ‘hypocrites’ over criticism of Twitter ban
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, on Friday branded the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union hypocrites over criticism of the Federal Government’s suspension of Twitter activities in Nigeria.
Members of the international community had faulted last week’s suspension of the microblogging platform by the Nigerian government.
In a joint statement issued by Canada, EU, the UK, the US, they described the Twitter ban as an unacceptable plot by the government to muzzle the social media and stifle free speech in the country.
Mohammed, who spoke on the development when he appeared on an NTA programme, “Good Morning Nigeria” in Abuja, said the countries’ views were purely based on economic reasons and not because they loved Nigeria.
READ ALSO: PDP urges UK, US, others to impose visa ban on Buhari over Twitter ban
He wondered why the EU and the UK would accuse the Nigerian government of stifling free speech when they are already working on the regulation of social media.
The minister also dismissed reports that Twitter was suspended for deleting President Muhammadu Buhari’s controversial remarks on the country’s civil war.
Mohammed said: “The EU has recommended the same thing and Britain only on Wednesday spoke about a law that would regulate the social media. This is why I say they are being hypocritical. As I said, I don’t like commenting on issues that have to do with relations with Nigeria and other countries but clearly speaking, they are being less than honest.”
Join the conversation
Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism
Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.
As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.
If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.
Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.
INVESTIGATION: In Kwara, multimillion-naira milk processing plant is abandoned, converted to a chicken outlet
After the government spent millions of naira to establish a milk processing plant in Kwara State that would provided jobs...
SPECIAL REPORT: For Sokoto communities, promise of healthcare is akin to death sentence
In this story, ABDULRASHEED HAMMAD delves into the dire realities of Primary Health Care services in Sokoto State, shedding light...
ICYMI…SPECIAL REPORT: NNPCL hides behind PIA to frustrate disclosure, accountability
Nigeria’s major oil company, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), in what appears to be a common practice of disregard...
INVESTIGATION: Multi-million naira Ekiti resort center remains uncompleted a decade after
The multimillion-naira project, expected to comprise recreational buildings, now consists of cassava farmland, a bush used for excretion, and a...
SPECIAL REPORT: Torturous experiences of students with disabilities in Oyo tertiary institutions
For students with disabilities in Oyo state-owned tertiary institutions, learning is a torturous and distressing experience, considering the building structures...