The United States Government, Saturday, described the ban on the operations of Twitter in the country as an infringement on the rights of Nigerians to freedom of expression.
In a terse statement issued in Abuja by the United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria, the United States Government also said that the ban was a way of sending a poor message to Nigerian citizens, investors and businesses.
“Nigeria’s constitution provides for freedom of expression. The Government’s recent #Twitterban undermines Nigerians’ ability to exercise this fundamental freedom and sends a poor message to its citizens, investors and businesses,” the United States said.
The United States further opined that banning social media and curbing every citizen’s ability to seek, receive, and impart information undermine 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 towards unity, peace, and prosperity. #KeepitOn,” the United States added.
Also, Sweden on Friday reacted to the indefinite suspension slammed on Twitter by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The European country in a tweet on its official handle, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to respect ‘freedom of expression.’
It noted that Nigerians have a constitutional right to exercise their freedom of expression and a right to access of information.
The tweet reads ”Nigerians have a constitutional right to exercise their freedom of expression and a right to access of information.
”This must be respected. Safeguarding free, independent media and civic spaces for democratic voices is an important part of Sweden’s #DriveForDemocracy #TwitterBan
Just a few days after Twitter deleted a threat tweet against South East by President Buhari, the FG placed a ban on the platform.
