The Federal Government has stated that it is closely monitoring developments around the change of control of Twitter, following its takeover by a new owner – Elon Musk.
At a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated the government’s position.
The Minister stated that the platform was suspended last year due to some elements’ proclivity to use it to destabilize Nigeria through fake news, disinformation, and hate speech.
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Mohammed has cautioned that the government has no intention of prohibiting the media from carrying out their duty. However, it will not permit any platform to be exploited to plunge the country into disorder.
The minister said: “Many have called to ask us what will become of our agreement with Twitter in view of the change in its ownership.
“Many have asked for our reaction following reports that there has been a spike in fake news, disinformation and hate speech since the micro-blogging site changed ownership.
“Many have even asked us if another ban is in the offing?
“Let me say this: We are closely monitoring the evolving developments at Twitter. It has never been our intention to ban any social media platform or stifle free speech. Not at all.
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“What happened in the case of Twitter is well known to all. Twitter became a platform of choice for those who want to destabilise Nigeria, using fake news, disinformation and hate speech.
“No nation will allow any social media platform to plunge it into anarchy. Definitely not Nigeria.
“But we have continued to engage positively with the different social media platforms, including Facebook, Google (owners of YouTube) and Twitter.
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