Amid Twitter Ban, Buhari's Aide Posts Controversial Statement on Facebook, Nigerians React
- As the suspension of Twitter comes into full force in Nigeria, presidential aide Bashir Ahmad said the ban was the language Nigeria the citizens understand
- The Nigerian government suspended Twitter on Friday, June 4, after the platform deleted President Buhari's tweet for violating its rules
- Ahmad's comment which was posted on Facebook has since generated hundreds of reactions as many lambast him
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FCT, Abuja - Bashir Ahmad, President Muhammadu Buhari's personal assistant on new media, has taunted Nigerians via a Facebook post, saying the suspension of Twitter is the "language" they understand.
The minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, announced Twitter's suspension in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, June 4.
Source: Facebook
He cited as the reason for the action the alleged persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria's corporate existence.
However, Legit.ng notes that the Twitter ban follows the social media platform's deletion of a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari threatening to treat those behind the growing insurrection in the southeast in the language they understand.
In a post on Facebook on Saturday, June 5, Ahmad used the president's words to mock Nigerians protesting the Twitter ban, saying:
"This is exactly the language they clearly understand."
Nigerians react
The presidential aide's controversial Facebook post has generated heated reactions from Nigerians.
Mustopha S. Opeyemi said:
"Twitter can suspend or block anybody's account with the simple reason of the person going against the app rules, but when the app is suspended or block, it is against the freedom of expression. Isn't this double standard?"
Dumeezor Sampson said:
"Bashir, has the ban on Twitter ended the banditry we face nationally? We should prove bravery in solving the problems glaring at us."
Abdulhamid Marshall said:
"And what language do bandits and kidnappers who have been terrorising the North understand ? We want you to swiftly use it so that your kinsmen in the North would move freely without any fear."
Usman Abubakar said:
"This is exactly the language the government suppose to use on bandits and kidnappers long before now, but you only keep condemning and warning them. For how long would you keep warning them without taking an action to flush them out?"
Ibraheem Mudi Jore said:
"Anyway you guys are really big disappointment to us all wallahi, We really regretted supporting and voting you at all levels.......many many innocent people are killing by unknown why???"
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Twitter promises to restore access
Meanwhile, Twitter, on Saturday, June 5, promised to do all it can to ensure Nigerians have access to its platform once again.
Commenting on the development via its public policy handle, it said open internet is an essential human right in this day and age.
The statement read partly:
"We will work to restore access for all those in Nigeria who rely on Twitter to communicate and connect with the world."
Source: Legit.ng
