According to the Minister, the federal government will not sit by and allow any platform whatsoever to throw our nation into crisis.
The government however, noted that it will continue to monitor developments around microblogging platform, Twitter, following its takeover by a new owner.
The Nigerian government has said it no intention of banning any social media platform in the country again.
The Minister of Information, Alhajir Lai Mohammed, stated this at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday.
According to the minister, the site was suspended last year because of some elements’ propensity to use it to spread false information, hate speech, and fake news about Nigeria.
Mohammed issued a warning, saying that although the government would not forbid any medium from carrying out its functions, it would also not permit any platform to be used to fling the nation into disorder.
“Many have phoned to ask us what will happen to our agreement with Twitter in light of the shift in its ownership,” the minister stated.
Following allegations that the microblogging site has seen an increase in fake news, misinformation, and hate speech since changing ownership, many people have asked for our opinion.
Many people have even questioned if we will impose another ban.
“Let me just say that we are keeping a careful eye on Twitter’s changing trends.
We have never intended to restrict free expression or outlaw any social media network.
In no way.
Everyone is familiar with the events that occurred in the Twitter case.
Twitter has emerged as a preferred forum for those looking to undermine Nigeria via the use of hate speech, misinformation, and false news.
“No country will consent to being thrown into anarchy by a social media platform.
Not Nigeria, by any means.
But we have persisted in having constructive interactions with the various social media sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Google (the owner of YouTube).
“We don’t intend to prohibit any social media sites once more.
But we also won’t stand by and let any platform plunge our country into chaos, the minister added.
