After the government suspended Twitter’s activities in Nigeria, the development had many effects on the country. Nigerian President Mohammad Buhari’s official Twitter account was suspended by the company due to complaints that he threatened “genocide” against the rebel organization. announced that it had ceased operations. While the Twitter ban was lifted in January, Nigerian President Buhari also used Twitter for the first time after the ban was lifted. Buhari, who shared photos on Twitter, also celebrated the Eid-al-Fitr of Nigerian Muslims.
TWITTER BAN IN NIGERIA
In his Twitter account on June 1, 2021, Buhari reminded the civil war that caused the death of 1 million people in the country between 1967-1970, and said, “We, who fought on the ground for 30 months, will treat them in the language they understand.” had used the phrase.
Twitter had suspended the account by deleting this post of Buhari.
Upon this incident, the Nigerian government announced on June 4, 2021 that Twitter had suspended its activities in the country until further notice, and announced that those violating this ban would be prosecuted.
Various non-governmental organizations operating in Nigeria filed a lawsuit against Buhari in the ECOWAS Court on June 9, due to the ban imposed by the government.
On 22 June, the ECOWAS Court stated that the decision was a human rights violation and stopped the government’s decision to prosecute those who violated the ban.
Following the Nigerian government’s decision, in a joint statement made by the ambassadors of the European Union (EU), the UK and the US in Abuja, it was stated that the suspension of Twitter’s activities was a “violation of freedom of expression”.
The government lifted the ban in January after a long break. (AA)