In Our Series of Letters from African Writers, Nigerian Journalist and Novelist Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani Considers Twitter’s Power and the Nigerian Government’s Moves to Curb it.

It has Been Two Months since the Nigerian Government Banned Twitter after the Tech Giant deleted a Post by President Muhammadu Buhari for Violating its Rules on Abusive Language.

Despite the Global Outrage that Followed, Including Strong Words of Condemnation from Top Foreign Diplomats in the Country.  he Government Remained Adamant.

However, it Announced on Wednesday that it was Finalising an Agreement with Twitter and the Ban would be Lifted in a Few Days or Weeks.

We Go Again A Good to #EndSARS (foto Twitter)

DJ Switch Arrested (foto Twitter)

DJ Switch Fist Raised (foto Twitter)

Many Nigerians were Angered by the Twitter Ban )foto AFP)

Smoking (foto Twitter)

Much of the Comment that Followed at the Time Focused on the Ban’s Negative Impact on Freedom of Speech and the Economy.

Many Nigerians use the Plalform to Amplify their Grievances Against the Government and to Reach More Vustomers for Their Businesses.

The US Owned, Private Firm appeared to be Interfering in the Internal Affairs of a Sovereign African State Without Enough Background Knowledge to Understand the Consequences of its Actions.

At the Time, Twitter said the Post was in Violation of its Rules.

The Company has the Right to Enforce Its Regulations, but Mr Buhari’s Post was an Official Communication from the Nigerian President to his People, Tweeted from a Government Account.

The Same Message was also Broadcast on Other Media Platforms Across the Country.

Is it Right that a Private American Firm has the Power to Edit, Without Permission, the Official Communication of a Democratically Elected President of an African Country? It doesn’t get any More Neo Colonial than that.

Please Start Sending Pictures of Nigerian Military Shooting Protesters (foto Twitter)

Tears for Nigeria (foto Twitter)

Holding the Blood Stained Nigerian Flag (foto Twitter)

Proof of Srmy Bullets Shot at Protesters (foto Nigeria)

Blood for Nigeria (foto Twitter)

Pointing the Finger (foto Twitter)

President Muhammadu Buhari, (foto Twitter)

President Muhammadu Buhari, 78, has Been In Office since 2015 (foto AFP)

Hillary Clinton and the Nigerian President (foto Twitter)

Clinton calls on @nbuhari (foto Twitter)

 

Hillary Clinton Tweet to @mbuhari (foto Twitter)

Nigerians have the Right to be Aware of their Leader’s Plans and Strategies, iIrespective of how Reckless his Choice of Words might be. They have a Right to Know even if he is Planning Something as Heartless as Unleashing Violence on Them.

Similarly, Nigerians have the Right to Respond to Him as Part of the Interaction between the Government and its Citizens.

Mr Buhari’s Tweet Treatened Violence against the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB) Movement, which is Seeking a Breakaway State in South Eastern Nigeria, Home to the Igbo People.

IPoB was Outlawed in 2017 – the Group Fought the Ban in Court and Lost.

While Many Igbo’s Believe they have been Marginalised in Many Ways, such as Being Left Out of Key National Leadership Positions, the Majority Do Not Support Ipob’s Desire for Secession.

Neither do they like its Violent Rhetoric against Other Ethnic Groups – often Referred to as Wild Animals by IPoB Leader Nnamdi Kanu, who is Facing Treason Charges.

In February, Facebook Deactivated Mr Kanu’s Account for its Hate Speech, but he Remained Active on Twitter.

By Deleting Mr Buhari’s Threats, Twitter wIs inadvertently Taking Sides with IPoB, and the Group’s Supporters Wasted no Time in Celebrating this Assumed Show of Solidarity.

Following the Backlash from the Government in June, a Few of the IPoB Leader’s Tweets were Removed by Twitter.

Children of the Poor (foto Twitter)

SomeMmembers of Nigeria’s Minority Igbo Ethnic Group have Waged a Long Running Campaign for Secession (foto AFP)

Similarly Thoughtless Involvement by Twitter Amplified the Divisions that Derailed Nigeria’s #EndSars Movement that Oversaw Protests against Police Brutality in October 2020.

Different Groups were Involved in Planning and Fundraising for the Protests that began Online and Poured into the Streets of Cities across Nigeria for about Two Weeks.

But when Twitter Verified the Account of One Group and Not of Others, it led to Bitter Mud Slinging and the Withdrawal of some Groups from the Movement.

“Twitter had inadvertently Selected the Leaders of Nigeria’s Social Movement against Police Brutality and Effectively Escalated the Rivalry that had Already Fractured the Movement,” wrote Nigerian Journalist Ohimai Amaize.

The Tech Giant Trod where even Seasoned Foreign Diplomats and Global Bodies Fear to Go.

Many Well Meaning Outsiders have Learned Never to be Too Quick to Meddle in the Affairs of African Countries, like Nigeria, where Issues are Often More Complicated Than Meets The Eye. They are Increasingly Embracing the Trend of Deferring Responsibility to Local Organisations that Better Understand Local Dynamics.

Twitter’s Decision to Set Up a West Africa Headquarters in Ghana is a Good Step in Developing Cultural Competence.

Mr Babajide Sanwo Olu, Governor, Lagos State (foto Twitter)

Help Me (foto Twitter)

Implement Sanctions Againnst the Nigerian Governement and Officials (foto Twitter)

Nigerian Banker and Politicia Senator of Lagos East Senatorial District Tokunbo Abiru (foto Twitter)

If People Died (foto Twitter)

Shocked by the Destrucrion of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris (foto Twitter)

Mr Buhari’s Administration has Shown Little Respect for the Rule of Law and Freedom of Speech, with a Number of Journalists and Activists Locked Up Simply for Criticising the Government.

Banning Twitter Completely is a Barely Concealed Attempt by the Government to stifle Voices of Criticism, and Nigerians have Good Reason to be Worried.

But the Power of Big Tech to make Arbitrary Decisions about who gets to say What, When and How, is Equally Troubling.

It raises Questions about Policing Speech and Censoring Unpopular Voices, amid the Need for Open Public Debate in a Free Democratic Society.

If it was Authoritarian for the Nigerian Government to Ban the Use of Twitter, It was Even Nore Problematic for an American Swivelling in a Chair in Silicon Valley to Poke their Finger into the Internal Affairs of a Sovereign African State.

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Drugs, Dates and Disputes at Mules’ Border Crossing

BBC News, 14 August 2021

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-58175708

https://twitter.com/VCVMCMLXXXII/status/1460522053124173827

#EndSARS: “You’re A Hero” – Nigerians Hail DJ Switch After Lagos Judicial Panel Indicted Army, Police In #LekkiMassacre https://t.co/L5pr7te7rL

— Moji Sensei Delano (@MojiDelanoBlog) November 16, 2021

Buhari, Lai Mohammed, Buratai banned #TwitterNg because of the #EndSARS protests.

Now that the truth has come out, how will this trinity of evil face the world?

The blood of our innocent youths will continue to torment them.#LekkiMassacre#LekkiMassacre2020#Lekkitollgate pic.twitter.com/DXdySwA5ZS

— Newton (@NewtonIkire) November 16, 2021

Then Omotola came and dropped her èpìnì of stupidity. Never forget #LekkiMassacre . pic.twitter.com/fUlJzbj4uk

— : (@borie_nla) November 16, 2021

https://twitter.com/dat_deltagirl/status/1460525766018543619

https://twitter.com/GbengaDare9/status/1460526543223070721

Few days after #ZariaMassare, Nig army claimed to hav killed only 3 through its then COAS Burutai but @elrufai confirmed mass graves of over 300 at d JCI set up by the state.

After #LekkiMassacre army claimed to hav killed none but JCI confirms scores. BUHARI IS A WAR CRIMINAL pic.twitter.com/2AFE1smQVu

— Mustyy (@mustyy09) November 16, 2021

https://twitter.com/OneJoblessBoy/status/1460528326519439364

https://twitter.com/SavvyRinu/status/1460338070583132164

https://twitter.com/Tit_officiall/status/1460528823959576576

https://twitter.com/Success4to45/status/1460529350030225413

Question is, what happens to the person(s) that gave that order?? The Nigerian Army? Governor Babajide Sanwolu? The Federal government led by Muhammadu Buhari??

It would be a real shame if adequate sanctions are not meted out to everyone involved in this #LekkiMassacre #EndSars https://t.co/46kMLbIiqm

— James Godwin™ (@GoddyJames) November 16, 2021

LAGOS ISN’T WORKING!!!
Useless Governments, Useless Leaders!!!#LekkiMassacre #Lekkitollgate #EndSARS https://t.co/5oTEVp0GV8

— Hayleexabeth (@Adeyink09918835) November 16, 2021

Will the @POTUS
@StateDeptSpox @SecBlinken and its allies impose targeted sanctions on @MBuhari@jidesanwoolu @HQNigerianArmy
generals,@PoliceNG inspector general that perpetrated #LekkiMassacre? Will the @mbachelet @UNHumanRights @UN_HRC @antonioguterres @UN act now? @UNWatch

— • (@ogbuka_) November 16, 2021

President Buhari Must Take Responsibility For Lekki Massacre – Moghalu#EndSARS#LekkiMassacre
DJ Switch https://t.co/o4AiUjEFny

— Enioluwa Adeniyi (@MrEnioluwa) November 16, 2021

So Lt. Col SO Bello is yet to tell us who gave him the Order to shoot peaceful protesters. #EndSARS #LekkiMassacre pic.twitter.com/futatmDBuE

— kemistry (@CitizenofUAR) November 16, 2021

Doubt your death!#LekkiMassacre #EndSARS #FreeGloryOkolie https://t.co/fntx5rRCs5

— Keke (@Keke0332) November 16, 2021

#LekkiMassacre: DJ Switch Reacts As Lagos Panel Releases Report#EndSARS
DJ Switch https://t.co/65yhopW6mJ

— Enioluwa Adeniyi (@MrEnioluwa) November 16, 2021

I hope Bulama would apologize for this insensitive work of art. #LekkiMassacre2020 #LekkiMassacre https://t.co/q7jTeY5Q9Q

— FESTUS OGUN (@mrfestusogun) November 16, 2021

What’s going to happen next #WHATISHAPPENING #LekkiMassacre #LekkiMassacre2020 pic.twitter.com/Px42BmRjF6

— Shegzeblog (@shegzedon) November 16, 2021

https://twitter.com/emmaikumeh/status/1460338810483580931

https://twitter.com/Yung_klemzy/status/1460532647495708672

https://twitter.com/GabHavertz/status/1460533068809265153

The dilemma of One Nigeria is that their leaders having successfully hipnotised their souls & mind, will always get away wt any atrocious act & win them over to fight over their next ambitious project.While reports of the #lekkimassacre is still hot & trending,2023 is d new focus pic.twitter.com/51E2lrkulD

— Chijioke Anyanwu (@ChijiokeAnyanw6) November 16, 2021

1. What happened to the person(s) who gave the directives.

It is very easy for you to indict those who were clearly following directives, regardless.

So, again – Who gave the directives?#LekkiMassacre2020 #LekkiMassacre#EndSARS https://t.co/NswqYJniWf

— VCVMCMLXXXII™ (@VCVMCMLXXXII) November 16, 2021

https://twitter.com/temtoyourscreen/status/1460534829049602052

https://twitter.com/gbengaajiboy/status/1460534965721079810

This pathological liars and fake newspaper must pay for this rubbish!#LekkiMassacre#EndSARS pic.twitter.com/VEJ8pTcYvu

— Gbenga Dare (@GbengaDare9) November 16, 2021

https://twitter.com/SavvyRinu/status/1460509230188879874

The same way they said this was a Photoshop in 2017. They were just peaceful protesters with not even a pin on them. The rest of the Nigerians said they deserved to die. We lost our brothers and fathers in the hands of same soldiers that came to Lekki Toll Gate. Enugu Ex rd Abia pic.twitter.com/ub6vM1eDhT

— BIG LIN (@biglin_ceo) November 16, 2021

https://twitter.com/SavvyRinu/status/1460509227957600259

https://twitter.com/SavvyRinu/status/1460509218402885632

https://twitter.com/SavvyRinu/status/1460509222802796545

https://twitter.com/SavvyRinu/status/1460509225692577792

https://twitter.com/SavvyRinu/status/1460509213906636805

https://twitter.com/SavvyRinu/status/1460509211616595972

https://twitter.com/OneJoblessBoy/status/1460544786386071552

@olusogaowoeye also said this about #EndSARS lekki massacre. pic.twitter.com/yFycL1oYNh

— Boda Femi Femo (@SirWayly) November 16, 2021

A leaked report by an inquiry panel has found that Nigerian armed forces shot and killed #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki toll gate in October 2020. Nigeria's army has denied shooting live rounds at protesters.@briticoyemo spoke to the affected families.https://t.co/UFyY7tAq21 pic.twitter.com/1cA035PgbB

— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) November 16, 2021

Rename Lekki Tollgate #EndSARS Tollgate – Panel Tells Lagos Govt https://t.co/qOyYikDp5l

— Trynaija (@TryNaija) November 16, 2021

#EndSARS panel submits report to government https://t.co/BcSHzhen0D via @LagMetropolitan

— Ángeles Jurado (@Angeles_Jurado) November 16, 2021

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