*The Federal Government announced that it was lifting the ban on Wednesday, January 12th
*Twitter to re-connect by 12am Thursday 13th
* Nigerians react, say move in a bid towards 2023 elections
The Federal Government on Wednesday 12th January announced it had agreed to lift the ban placed on Twitter within Nigeria. Twitter would therefore be accessible from 12am on Thursday, 13th January.
The lifting comes 222 days after it switched off access to the social media platform due to the deleting of some of the President’s tweet which Nigerians had reported as offensive.
Nigerians have since been making their thoughts known on the supposed lifting which many do not see anything to be excited about as Nigerians had found alternative ways to boycott the ban and continue to access the social media platform.
Notable voices that have aired their thoughts the lifting was announced include Ben Murray Bruce, Aproko Doctor, Aisha Yesufu, Victor Asemota and Gbenga Sesan.
For Ben Murray Bruce, former Senator representing Bayelsa East constituency and chairman of the Senate Committee on Privatization said he was excited about the lifting as this means young Nigerians can now go back to making legitimate earnings but noted that the ban was unnecessary and uncalled for.
”I am excited about the lifting of the #TwitterBan because our young people can now go back to making legitimate earnings using this space. Regardless, I am convinced that the ban was unnecessary and uncalled for—but we are past that now.”
For political activist, Aisha she had this to say about media houses inviting her to come talk about the ban:
”Dear Media Houses, I will be turning down your invitation to come discuss the lifting of the twitter ban. This incompetent government will not be the one to set the agenda on my discussion.
I will accept invitation to discuss how citizens can vote competent people in 2023.”
Popular health influencer, aproko doctor on his part says the lifting actually happened the other way round, ”The Nigerian government banned themselves out of Twitter, not the other way round. Now, active politicking has started and they realized they were without a voice. I hope you’re watching closely.”
Meanwhile, Victor Asemota called on Nigerians to keep using their VPNs, ”I think Nigerians should keep using their VPNs. Make it harder for the government to trace you. Any government that can have this much power over service providers must also be doing a lot of electronic surveillance. Even GEJ tried the shit. Can’t trust these ones more.” On his part, Gbenga Sesan, PIN’s director reacting on his Facebook page said, ‘’Like a thief in the night, the Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the lifting of Twitter’s suspension (effective midnight today), a week before the day Ecowas Court set to deliver judgement in the consolidated lawsuit filed by Paradigm Initiative, SERAPNigeria, Media Rights Agenda, EiENigeria and many others.’’
Other reactions monitored by Exclusive Africa are published below:
#EndSARS We can't accept this again #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/QNnTWYHIzR
— Kayode Adam Bolaji (@kayodeadam1) January 13, 2022
Cold asf …. i can never forget this #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/Snm3oyymzA
— Faceless👤 (@Stokan19) January 13, 2022
Lai Mohammed,Adamu Garba and co.. when they see #EndSARS trending hours after lifting Twitter ban. pic.twitter.com/7j67mzmBX2
— £ngr_Månsur {GMnse)🇳🇬⛑️👌💻 (@Mansur_Ibro) January 13, 2022
They unbanned Tweeter believing that we are so forgetful.
Who ordered the shooting? 20/10/2020. #EndSARS
— O.A.A▫️ (@Day_G_Adedeji1) January 13, 2022
It happened during #EndSARS it started as a hashtag movement on the internet before going viral. People don’t know how powerful they are until they unite for a common goal
— Bldr Oduyebo Olusanmi Amos(mniobCORBON) (@BuilderSanmi) January 13, 2022
https://twitter.com/___communicator/status/1481373588498391045?s=20
#EndSARS With all due respect and all protocols fully observed respectfully.. we still want to know who GAVE THE ORDER ! pic.twitter.com/XNd9pfG74j
— jay☕ (@jaybfreshy) January 13, 2022
Jack did not grant them any privileges nor concessions. Twitter did not meet Lai Mohammed’s stupid conditions. They couldn’t even bend their rules for Trump.
They simply lifted the ban for Bashir, Tolu & their supporters. Now Adamu Garba will start disturbing us again.😭
— NEFERTITI (@firstladyship) January 13, 2022
Buhari's first tweet after the ban is lifted isn't my concern cos obviously it will scripted, I'm patiently waiting for that of Bashir Ahmad, Adamu Garba, Malami & co. who actually backed the ban, thinking the govt can win Nigerians with tyranny.
— Daniel Regha (@DanielRegha) January 12, 2022
