The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives has condemned the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria by the Federal Government, describing it as a clear violation of freedom of speech and other democratic rights and tenets as provided by the 1999 constitution.
The lawmakers, in a statement by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu, on Saturday, described the suspension as “provocative, obnoxious and unjustifiable.”
The caucus said it held that the decision of the Federal Government in suspending Twitter “smacks of intolerance, insensitivity, and aversion to the views, opinions and aspirations of Nigerian citizens, especially the youths, on matters of state.”
The caucus rejected the decision of the Federal Government which according to it amounted to a clampdown and a direct infringement on the rights of Nigerians to free speech as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The caucus further described the suspension as suppressing of Nigerian citizens.
Read the statement: “It further shows the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration as one that is unwilling to listen to Nigerians but ready to use any means to suppress and subjugate its citizens.
“The Minority Caucus is disturbed that the suspension of Twitter in the country came after the social media platform deleted President Muhammadu Buhari’s tweets.
“Such response by the Federal Government has raised further concerns over the APC-led administration’s disturbing rating on issues of political intolerance, abuse of rights and violation of rules in our country.”
The action of the Federal Government, according to the Minority Caucus, was coming at a time the National Assembly was conducting its public hearing towards the amendment of the constitution and may constitute a major setback capable of diminishing public confidence in the exercise as well as other processes through genuine efforts by the legislature to strengthen democratic tenets in the country.
The Minority caucus, therefore, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately reverse the suspension placed on Twitter so as not to exacerbate the already tensed situation in the country.
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It is most unfortunate that such view is coming from any section of the House of Reps. I believe that the few people masquerading as minority caucus are self-serving individuals who are part of the subjugative and subversive agenda that is being promoted in the social media, particularly, the Twitter. It is ironic that even the recent disrespect and dishonour shown to our President and by extension, to the Nigerian nation and citizens did not elicit condemnation from this caucus that parades itself as representing the people, while they are quick to condemn the government. Yes, correct the government and raise issues by all decent and courteous means, but subversive tendencies in the guise of freedom of speech shouldn’t be condoned.