Note: The views and opinions expressed in blog/editorial posts are those of the author. They do not reflect the views or opinions of Misbar.
During a June 1st briefing by the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari addressed the uprising witnessed in various parts of the country for the first time. Referring to pro-Biafra groups accused of destroying government properties, he said the attacks were totally unacceptable and that the government will not allow this kind of destruction.
Later, he posted a tweet: “Many of those misbehaving today are too young to be aware of the destruction and loss of lives that occurred during the Nigerian Civil War,” he wrote. “Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand.’’
Some citizens were irked by President Buhari’s reference to the 1967 civil war during which thousands were killed. For them, it was a threat taken too far. The tweet was deemed genocidal, and hundreds petitioned Twitter to take down the tweet.
Twitter subsequently responded by deleting the offending tweet. Two hours later, the Minister for Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed summoned a press conference. That, unknowingly to many, was to be the precursor for the sweeping change that was about to follow. Less than 24 hours after the press conference, he issued a press statement via the ministry’s official Twitter handle declaring that Twitter's operations in the country had been suspended.
The company promptly issued a statement saying that it was deeply concerned by the blocking of Twitter in the country, assuring that it will work to ‘’restore access for all those in Nigeria who rely on Twitter to communicate and connect with the world.’’
Many initially laughed off the manner in which the suspension was issued. Many joked about the government having announced the suspension of the platform via its official handle on the same platform.
Then, the nation went to sleep. Those still awake at 12 am on June 5th became the first to discover the news. The government’s suspension had indeed taken effect, at midnight on the dot.
Tolu, a remote worker for a sports publication, says he is on the verge of losing his job as he runs the official Twitter account for the company. He says he initially thought that the suspension was a joke until he was unable to access the Twitter account for work.
He has not been able to do anything serious since Saturday and it’s likely that if the ban continues, the company may fire him. "I mean, it’s only logical," he said in an interview. "The impact of the ban on employment and businesses would wreak more havoc than the merits of the decision. Economically, technologically, and perception-wise this will harm the comity of nations for the so-called giant of Africa, Nigeria. The long-term effects of the ban are already cooking and even if the president rescinds the decision now, the damage will have been done.”
Moe, who was vocal during the EndSars protest last year, and fled the country due to threats from security outfits, described the role Twitter played during the protest. Tweeting via her handle, she said that legal aid was arranged seamlessly for arrested protesters across the country. As a result of Twitter correspondence, lawyers would arrive at police stations in some cases within 20 minutes of an arrest.
Pamilerin Adegoke, a popular social media influencer, believes that ego was the driving force behind the ban. While speaking during an interview he said, “If this goes on for much longer, the government should be ready to provide jobs for us. If the government doesn’t find an alternative for us, then we have to come back almost immediately.”
Japheth Omojuwa, another social media influencer and CEO of a digital communications company, says the suspension is a buildup of events from the past, and a bad sign for a nation looking ahead towards the 2023 general election.
The economic impact of the ban has already been staggering. Within 24 hours, the country is reported to have lost N2,177,089,051 ($6,014,390) based on the cost of the shutdown tool and it continues at a rate of N90,712,044 ($250,600) every hour according to Netblocks.
Upon resumption of trading on Monday, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) encountered a negative mood as equities reacted to the ban, shedding N20 billion to close at N20.164 trillion from N20.184 traded on Friday, a situation analysts say may last for as long as the ban is in place.
Could this have been better handled? Governor Babajide SanwoOlu thinks so. According to the Lagos state governor, considering the economic implications of the decision, the federal government could have engaged the social media platform through an open dialogue between Twitter and the government.
During the original press briefing, the Minister had claimed that the platform was being used to cause division among Nigerians. But many Nigerians disagree with him. They contend that the government is only troubled by the huge role Twitter played in galvanizing support for the EndSARs protest as well as agitation for self-rule by South Easterners.
One thing is clear, this was a hasty decision not well thought-out by the federal government. Had the federal government treated burning national issues such as the kidnappings and killings perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen and terrorists with such speed and focus, the country would certainly be a lot healthier than it is at the moment.
Despite the federal government initially threatening to prosecute anyone found using Twitter, many Nigerians have continued to access the platform through the use of VPNs. They’ve been tweeting #keepiton. Several world leaders have also called for lifting the ban as it negates the right to freedom of speech.
The diplomatic missions of Canada, the European Union (Delegation to Nigeria), the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America have all expressed their disappointment over the ban and urged the government to immediately lift the suspension. Within the country, civil society groups and the media continue to demand the ban to be lifted. However, a lone, dissenting voice here is the former president of the United States, President Donald Trump who says he supports Nigeria’s FG actions.
A major sign of a possible lifting came with a ruling delivered by the ECOWAS Court of Justice on June 22nd wherein it ordered the government “to refrain from imposing sanction on any media house or harassing, intimidating, arresting and prosecuting.” It noted that it is also considering the legal action brought before it by activists challenging the ban.
For many, this move by the Buhari presidency is the lowest it has gone within its second tenure. Nigeria has now joined countries such as China, Iran, Syria, and North Korea where social media is also restricted. For a government that rose to power on the wings of social media, many are surprised that it has now become intolerant of the platform that many Nigerians had to air their grievances and call the government to order.
