FG says twitter has reached out for dialogue

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed said this while addressing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council.

He declared that the ban has so far been very effective following reports of Twitter’s huge financial losses running into billions.

The Information Minister maintains that Twitter has been a platform of choice for separatists to thrive and would be disallowed from operating until it is duely registered, licensed, and operates within regulations.

He also said the Federal government has resolved to ensure that other social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram  are registered in the country to them pay tax to Nigeria.

The People’s Democratic Party has asked the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and other members of the International Communities to impose a visa ban on President Muhammadu Buhari and members of his cabinet.

The opposition party said this should be done immediately, describing suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria as ‘stifling free speech in Nigeria.’

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the party’s spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan.

The party told the countries to also sanction the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami as well as certain leaders of the APC for their individual ignoble roles in the ban imposed on Twitter in addition to associated harassments and threats to Nigerians.

The PDP said its demand is based on the violation of UN international Charter on Human Rights by President Buhari by banning the use of Twitter in Nigeria.

The opposition party said the trio of President Buhari, Lai Mohammed, and Abubakar Malami and their agents cannot continue to enjoy diplomatic privileges and rights extended by virtue of their offices in Nigeria, while at the same time flouting the UN Charter.