The United States has cautioned the Muhammadu
Buhari-led government over the recent suspension placed on the operations of
Twitter in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s information and culture minister Lai
Mohammed had on Friday announced Twitter’s suspension in a statement by his
media aide, Segun Adeyemi.
Reacting to the
suspension in a statement on Saturday, the US Mission in Nigeria said such
suspension undermines citizens fundamental freedoms and also sends a wrong
message to investors.
The statement read, “Nigeria’s constitution
provides for freedom of expression. The government’s recent #Twitterban
undermines Nigerians’ ability to exercise this fundamental freedom and sends a
poor message to its citizens, investors and businesses.
“Banning social media and curbing every citizen’s
ability to seek, receive, and impart information undermines fundamental
freedoms. As President Biden has stated, our need for individual expression,
open public conversation, and accountability has never been greater.
“The path to a more secure Nigeria lies in more,
not less communication, alongside concerted efforts toward unity, peace, and
prosperity.”