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After Twitter, facebook deletes Buhari’s inciting “civil war” post

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After Twitter, facebook deletes Buhari’s inciting “civil war” post

Facebook, another social media platform, has removed a controversial statement posted via President Muhammadu Buhari’s official page.

The President had on Tuesday threatened to treat insurrectionists and those attacking facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) like Nigerian soldiers treated Igbos during the civil war. Buhari, a retired general fought during the war which claimed the lives of over one million persons.

“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. Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand,” he said.

The statement, which many suggested to be a subtle threat of ‘genocide’, was first deleted by Twitter, a micro-blogging platform.

The platform said it removed the tweet for violating its terms and conditions. “In line with our global policies, we’ve removed a post from President Buhari’s Facebook page for violating our Community Standards against inciting violence. We remove any content, from individuals or organisations that violates our policies on Facebook,” the platform stated.

Twitter Ban: ‘Nigerians have a constitutional right to freedom of expression’ – Sweden Embassy

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Twitter Ban: ‘Nigerians have a constitutional right to freedom of expression’ – Sweden Embassy

The Embassy of Sweden in Abuja has reacted to the Twitter ban by the Nigerian government. The reaction came on Friday night through the embassy’s Twitter account.

“Nigerians have a constitutional right to exercise their freedom of expression and a right of information. This must be respected. Safeguarding free, independent media and civic spaces for democratic voices is an important part of Sweden’s drive for democracy,” the Swedish Embassy stated.

Similarly, the Canadian high commissioner to Nigeria, Nicolas Simard said freedom of speech and access to reliable information are fundamental human rights protected by the constitution.

Meanwhile, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata also reacted to the ban by noting that Nigeria operates in a constitutional democracy and therefore everything must be done according to law.

Akpata stated that part of the implication of the ban was on the right of Nigerians to “freely express their constitutionally guaranteed opinions through that medium”.

He also noted that the licensing of all OTT and social media operations by the Nigerian Communications Commission was another attempt to stifle freedom of speech and shrink civic space.

The Twitter ban was announced on Friday afternoon through the official Twitter handle of the Ministry of Information and Culture.

Twitter reacts to Nigerian Government’s suspension; Says it is ‘deeply concerned’

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Twitter reacts to Nigerian Government’s suspension; Says it is ‘deeply concerned’

Twitter has on Friday, expressed ‘deep concern’ over Nigerian government’s decision to suspend its operations in the country.

According to Sarah Hart, Twitter’s senior policy communications manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa in a statement said;

The announcement made by the Nigerian Government that they have suspended Twitter’s operations in Nigeria is deeply concerning. We’re investigating and will provide updates when we know more.

Recall that MDB earlier reported how the government suspended Twitter’s operations indefinitely, after accusing the micro-blogging site of “undermining Nigeria’s existence.”

In a statement on Friday, Lai Mohammed, minister of information, said the government was forced to act because of “the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence”.

While Twitter does not have physical offices in Nigeria, the platform is freely available in the country and has up to 2 million users, according to some estimates.

Many Nigerians and other people around the world have interpreted the FG’s action as the first process of it banning other platforms and cutting off citizens away from the world.

The suspension is a culmination of a three-day drama which began when Twitter deleted a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari for violating its rules.

In the post, Buhari referenced his role in 1967 Nigerian civil war where over a million people were gruesomely killed, threatening to treat Nigerians “misbehaving” in “the language they understand”

It sparked reactions from many Nigerians who interpreted the statement as a threat to commit human rights violations.

Reacting, Lai Mohammed, Information Minister, condemned Twitter, accusing the company of having a suspicious agenda in Nigeria. He accused Twitter of enabling violence during #EndSARS protests in October 2020.

Meanwhile, as at the time of filing this report, Twitter remained available in Nigeria – two and half hours after the announcement was posted on the Information Ministry’s verified Twitter account.

It remains to be seen when the suspension takes effect and what actions Twitter takes.

BREAKING: Uzodinma sacks all special advisers

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BREAKING: Uzodinma sacks all special advisers

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has sacked all special advisers, senior special assistants and special assistants in his administration.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner of Information who briefed journalists at the government house in Owerri the Imo state capital on Friday.

According to the Commissioner, the dissolution was the outcome of the recommendation by a commission earlier set up by the Governor to carry out a performance appraisal of the duties of all SAs and SSAs.

He said the report also recommended the need to rejig the appointments for optimal service.

The dissolution of the executive advisers comes a three-week after the Governor sacked 20 commissioners from his cabinet, retaining only eight.

More to follow . . .

Twitter ban is a barbaric attempt to prevent holding Buhari to account – PDP

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Twitter ban is a barbaric attempt to prevent holding Buhari to account – PDP

“Barbaric and vexatious” is how opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party has described the Federal Government’s decision to suspend Twitter operations in the country.

Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed had on Friday announced the suspension of Twitter alleging that the social media platform was undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.

Reacting, the opposition party vehemently rejected the unwarranted suspension of the social media platform, Twitter.

In a statement signed by Kola Ologbondiyan, its spokesperson, the PDP said the suspension materialised because the platform deleted President Muhammadu Buhari’s tweet.

“The Peoples Democratic Party vehemently rejects the unwarranted suspension of the social media platform, Twitter, by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government, describing it as a draconian action and a slide towards a fascist regime in our country,” the statement reads.

“The party asserts that the suspension of Twitter, is a vexatious, condemnable and barbaric move to muzzle Nigerians, particularly the youths, ostensibly to prevent them from holding the overtly corrupt, vindictive and divisive Muhammadu Buhari administration accountable for its atrocities, including human right violations, patronizing of terrorists and outright suppressive acts against innocent Nigerians.

“Our party is appalled that the Federal Government could exhibit such primitive intolerance and power intoxication because the social media giant demonstrated international best practices in not allowing the Muhammadu Buhari presidency to use Twitter as a platform to propagate and spread the Muhammadu Buhari administration’s hatred towards Nigerians.”

The opposition party further said Twitter against the claims of the Buhari-led administration has been a beneficial platform that has facilitated economic and social interaction.

“The Peoples Democratic Party insists that rather than being a platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence, as claimed by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, Nigerians, particularly the youths, have been using the social media platform, largely, for activities that promote unity, as well as social, economic and commercial interaction in our country.

“Our party notes that Mr. Lai Mohammed, in his statement, failed to cite an example of where Nigerians used Twitter as a platform to promote acts that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence as he claimed.

“Of course, the failure to give any such instance, confirms that the Federal Government is only out to victimize Nigerians.”

The PDP said the federal government is “afraid of Nigerians on Twitter because of their evil machinations for which they dread the Nigerian youths”.

The opposition party added that “freedom of speech is firmly guaranteed in our constitution” and that if there is any case of any infringement, “our nation has adequate extant laws to deal with such and not this move to gag the people”.

The PDP called on the president to “end this assault against Nigerians by immediately and unconditionally rescinding its decision”, noting that it amounts to “pushing our citizens to the wall”.

The party noted that the Buhari administration made use of Twitter to campaign during the 2015 and 2019 elections.

Twitter ban should not be the response of a president with vibrant youthful population – Saraki reacts

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Twitter ban should not be the response of a president with vibrant youthful population – Saraki reacts

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki has faulted the Federal Government’s suspension of Twitter activities in the country.

Lai Mohammed, Minister of information, had on announced the suspension in a statement issued on Friday.

According to the statement which was surprisingly announced on Twitter, the minister cited “the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.”

Reacting to the suspension in a statement on Friday, Saraki said Nigeria has a vibrant, youthful population that make their living through Twitter.

Taking to his verified Twitter account, Saraki tweeted, “No sir! This should not be the response from the president of a nation with a vibrant youthful population for whom #Twitter is part of their daily lives and a source of their income and livelihood.

“This must be reviewed.”

Twitter had temporarily suspended Nigeria’s president from the site over complaints that he had threatened genocide against agitators in the South East of Nigeria.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday warned insurrectionists that they were in for a “rude shock” — then tweeted a message referring to the 1967-70 civil war that killed 1 million people.

“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 tweeted.

“Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand,” he wrote in what was taken as a warning of a fierce crackdown on rising violence in the southeast.

Twitter confirmed to Reuters that Buhari’s message was removed for violating its “abusive behavior” policy, also leading to a 12-hour suspension of his account.

Ekiti Government slashes workers salary

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Ekiti Government slashes workers salary

The Ekiti State Government has suspended the Consequential Salary Adjustment and reduced salaries of civil servants and political appointees.

According to a report from Vanguard, the salary slash was part of an agreement reached on Friday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the government and organized labour.

The slight salary adjustment was being enjoyed by workers on grade levels 07 to 12 since January 2021. It has now been partially suspended for a period of three months with the latest development.

However, workers on grade levels 01 and 06 will not be affected as their N30,000 minimum wage still stands.

The agreement was read in the meeting by  the TUC Chairman, Sola Adigun, who disclosed that the adjustment would be for certain categories of workers for a period of three months— May to July.

Adigun further revealed that the salaries of political appointees be slashed by 25 percent for a period of three months.
The pact also included that the release of the running grant for the running of government office be reduced, while monthly meeting of the Economic Review Committee was mandated to convene five days after the meeting of the Federal Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, to keep the workers abreast of the state’s financial position.

Last December, labour unions in the state had threatened to shut down activities of the state government if Governor Kayode Fayemi failed to implement the N30,000 minimum wages and the consequential adjustment to workers across board.

Also, in March, activities at the Ekiti State House of Assembly were on a total lockdown for over three hours, following a peaceful protest by workers in the state over the contentious minimum wage.

Representing the government at the meeting were Head of Service, Mrs Peju Babafemi; the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Labour Matters, Oluyemi Esan, and the Permanent Secretary, Office of Establishment and Service Matters, Mr. Bayo Opeyemi.

The Chairmen, Nigerian Labour Congress, Kolapo Olatunde; his counterpart in the Trade Union Congress, Sola Adigun, and that of the Joint Negotiating Council Kayode Fatomiluyi, as well as their Secretaries, signed on behalf of the labour centres.

Nigerian Government suspends Twitter Operation in Nigeria

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Nigerian Government suspends Twitter Operation in Nigeria

The Federal Government has suspended the operations of Twitter, the microblogging and social networking service, in Nigeria.

Lai Mohammed, Minister of information, announced the suspension in a statement issued on Friday.

The suspension of the social networking service was also shared on the Twitter handle of the federal ministry of information.

According to the statement, the minister cited “the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence”.

Twitter had temporarily suspended Nigeria’s president from the site over complaints that he had threatened genocide against agitators in the South East of Nigeria.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday warned insurrectionists that they were in for a “rude shock” — then tweeted a message referring to the 1967-70 civil war that killed 1 million people.

“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 tweeted.

“Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand,” he wrote in what was taken as a warning of a fierce crackdown on rising violence in the southeast.

Twitter confirmed to Reuters that Buhari’s message was removed for violating its “abusive behavior” policy, also leading to a 12-hour suspension of his account.

Read statement below….

PRESS RELEASE

FG Suspends Twitter’s Operations in Nigeria

The Federal Government has suspended, indefinitely, the operations of
the microblogging and social networking service, Twitter, in Nigeria.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed,
announced the suspension in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday,
citing the persistent use of the platform for activities that are
capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.

The Minister said the Federal Government has also directed the
National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately commence the
process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria.

Segun Adeyemi
Special Assistant To The President (Media)
Office of the Minister of Information and Culture
Abuja
4 June 2021

Gunmen abduct businessman in Kano

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Gunmen abduct businessman in Kano

A business in Kano State, Emmanuel Eze has been abducted as gunmen invaded Kore in the Dambatta Local Government Area on Thursday night.

NewsWireNGR learnt that the gunmen struck around 10:30pm on Thursday.

According to an eyewitness account, the bandits, who arrived in the town in large numbers shot sporadically into the air before whisking away their victim. Flying bullets reportedly also injured a young man in the process.

They shot sporadically before whisking away their victim.

The Kano Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa confirmed the incident on Friday.

He also said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Sama’ila Dikko has already despatched a team of Policemen to comb the area in search of the bandits, as well as rescuing the kidnapped businessman.

“Bandits kidnapped Emmanuel Eze in his Provision Store at Kore in Danbatta Local Government Area, DSP Kiyawa said.

“Teams of Policemen mobilized for possible rescue and arrest of culprits.”

The kidnap is coming hours after Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of the state raised alarm over the influx of bandits in Falgore forest.

Breaking: Police Council confirms Alkali as Nigeria’s Inspector General

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Breaking: Police Council confirms Alkali as Nigeria’s Inspector General

The Police Council has confirmed Usman Alkali Baba as the Inspector General of Police, almost two months after President Muhammadu Buhari approved his appointment. 

Usman Alkali was confirmed on Friday during a meeting of the council in Abuja presided over by President Buhari.

Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi, confirmed the development at the end of the one and half hours meeting, said he was unanimously confirmed.

President Buhari had on April 6, Usman Baba as acting the Inspector General of Police.

The minister said Buhari directed him to ensure insecurity is brought to the barest minimum. Baba was a Deputy Inspector General of Police before his promotion.

While serving as Acting inspector-general of police (IGP), he launched a special operation to curb the increasing violence in the south-east.

He had charged policemen serving in the Southeast region to deal ruthlessly with criminal elements and secessionists that may attempt to take the risk of testing their will. He also said the policemen must be firm with criminal elements that may be threatening the citizens within their area of jurisdiction.

The police IG said the ‘Operation Restore Peace’ launched in Enugu is part of a new plan to protect residents and facilities in the five states in the region.

He also accused the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of being behind the violence, adding that the group’s activities have caused “unjustifiable inter-ethnic violence” in the states.

There has been a spike in criminal attacks in the south-east with security and government agencies increasingly targeted.

Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina says Nigeria needs a leader with iron fist like Muhammadu Buhari

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Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina says Nigeria needs a leader with iron fist like Muhammadu Buhari

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina says Nigeria needs a leader with an iron fist like his principal, Muhammadu Buhari.

The presidential aide also said Buhari won’t allow criminals and insurrectionists from any part of the country to destroy Nigeria.

Adesina stated this in a piece on Friday titled, ‘I Suddenly Remembered Why I Fell In Love With The President’.

“The man we fell in love with is of iron and steel, one ready and willing to knock sense into contumacious heads, whipping everyone into line. And being kind to us in the process. A kind bully, if you like the oxymoron,” he described Buhari.

The President had on Tuesday, condemned the attacks on police stations, prisons and offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission – and tweeted that some of those misbehaving today are too young to be aware of the destruction and loss of lives that happened during the Civil War, adding that they will be treated in the language they understand.

The President’s tweet riled some persons who felt he was insensitive to have made an analogy of the civil war. His critics subsequently reported the tweet to Twitter and the microblogging site later deleted the post with a comment, “This Tweet violated the Twitter Rules”.

Adesina in his piece on Friday said the President cannot allow anarchy to overtake the land. He said, “What our country needs at this time is iron and steel. An alchemy of GMB (General Muhammadu Buhari) and PMB (President Muhammadu Buhari).

“We are in a democracy, yes, but democracy is no byword for lawlessness. If anybody misbehaves in any part, repeat, any part, of the country, they need to be whipped into line.

“The nation needs not go into a tailspin because some people bear giant-sized grudges in their hearts. By the way, is there any part of the country that does not have one grievance or the other? Is the next option then to capsize the boat of the country? Any leader that has sworn to uphold the Constitution would not open his eyes, and see it happen.

“Leaders must do whatever they should do to maintain peace and tranquillity in their countries. Their intentions will always be misinterpreted and misrepresented. No matter. The good of the larger majority must be considered at all times. North, South, East, West, anarchy should never be condoned, no matter what some people may say.”

“President Buhari is not genocidal, and can’t ever be accused of such intentions. But a leader worth his salt cannot look on, and watch law and order break down irretrievably. It is not about a people, or region. It is about the country he took an oath to keep together,” Adesina stated.

PDP asks Governor Hope Uzodimma to resign over “failure” to ensure the security of lives

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PDP asks Governor Hope Uzodimma to resign over “failure” to ensure the security of lives

The Imo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo, to resign over his “failure” to ensure the security of lives and property in the state.

There have been attacks on government facilities in Imo and other states of the south-east in recent times, leading to killing of security operatives.

Addressing a media briefing on Thursday, Charles Ugwuh, chairman of the PDP in Imo, said the PDP is alarmed over the worsening state of insecurity and the escalation of “militarisation of the state”.

“The governor should resign over his failure to protect lives and property. This has become very necessary in view of the evidence of lack of capacity of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to guarantee safety and security of lives and property of Imo people,” he said.

“Our party finds it too worrisome that on a daily basis, innocent civilians and security personnel are mowed down. Also, arson, murder and carnage have become the lot of the hitherto most peaceful state in Nigeria.

“The climax is the gruesome murder of Ahmed Gulak, a former member of PDP and aide to President Goodluck Jonathan.”

Ugwuh, who called on stakeholders in the state to work towards finding lasting solution to the security challenges, asked the federal government to set up a high-powered independent investigation into Gulak’s murder and bring the culprits to justice.

However, in his reaction to the PDP’s position, Oguwike Nwachukwu, chief press secretary to the governor, said Uzodimma is doing his best to repel the attacks.

While noting that “the state is far from being ungovernable”, the governor’s spokesman said the government has responded to the situation “promptly and precisely”.

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