TwitterBan: US, UK, EU Envoys Meet FG, Say Nigeria Violates Freedom of Expression
- Mixed reactions have continued to greet the suspension of Twitter by the federal government of Nigeria
- The envoys of the United States, United Kingdoms and the European Union in Nigeria have also expressed their concern about the ban
- Mary-Beth Leonards, the US ambassador to Nigeria, who spoke on behalf of other envoys, insisted that the Nigerian government violated fundamental human rights
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FCT, Abuja - Following the suspension of Twitter by the Nigerian government, the envoys of the United States, United Kingdom and the European Union in Nigeria among others, have expressed dismay over the action.
Channels TV reports that the envoys said the suspension of Twitter is a violation of the fundamental human right of freedom of expression.
Source: UGC
Legit.ng gathered that after meeting with the minister of foreign affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, in Abuja on Monday, July 7, the envoys urged the government to protect freedom of expression.
US ambassador to Nigeria, Mary-Beth Leonards, who spoke on behalf of others, said they were delighted to see Nigeria succeed, and that all challenges have solutions, The Punch also reports.
Freedom of expression must be protected in Nigeria
She said:
“We are here as partners who want to see Nigeria succeed. We want to see this place unified, peaceful and prosperous and that’s how all of our activities are arranged. I think we have to be very clear that we are Nigeria’s strong partners on issues of security and we recognise the daunting times and the array of security challenges that confront Nigeria.
“While they are daunting, they are not insurmountable and part of the way to surmount them is through the partnership of the people you see represented here.
“Not only in physical security but in terms of expanding opportunities and promoting mediation and dialogue; this is all very important and we look forward to continuing that partnership and continuing our conversation around important issues like media freedom."
She added that they affirmed their position that free access to the ability to express oneself is actually very important and perhaps more important in troubled times.
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Western world ignores warning about IPOB's activities
Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that there were indications that some western nations were earlier tipped off of the terrorist activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, but the warnings were largely ignored.
It was reported that a top government official who made the disclosure said the government which turned in the petition almost two months ago, was surprised when a number of such Western diplomats issued a statement over the weekend on the Twitter ban completely ignoring the issue.
According to the report, the source said many of the Abuja-based diplomats have already become aware based on official communication from the Nigerian government.
Source: Legit.ng
