FG summons ambassadors over Twitter ban criticism

The Federal Government has summoned ambassadors of some countries over their criticism of Nigeria’s indefinite suspension of Twitter operations in the country.

The summons was contained in a statement from the office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, made available to journalists on Monday.

“I am directed to inform that following the recent ban on Twitter by the Federal Government and press statement issued by some heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Nigeria on the subject matter, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency, Geoffrey Onyeama, has invited the affected ambassadors to a meeting today,” the statement said.

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Recall that the diplomatic missions of Canada, the European Union (Delegation to Nigeria), the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America had, in a joint statement issued on Saturday, condemned Nigeria’s suspension of Twitter, saying the action does not support the freedom of expression.

“The diplomatic missions of Canada, the European Union (Delegation to Nigeria), the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America convey our disappointment over the Government of Nigeria’s announcement suspending #Twitter and proposing registration requirements for other social media,” the diplomatic community had said in the statement.

“We strongly support the fundamental human right of free expression and access to information as a pillar of democracy in Nigeria as around the world and these rights apply online as well as offline.”