US, UK And EU Envoy Insist The Suspension Of Twitter In Nigeria Is A Violation Of The Freedom Of Expression

The envoys of the United States, United Kingdom and the European Union have insisted that the Federal Government’s suspension of Twitter in Nigeria is a violation of the freedom of expression.

According to them, this action by the Federal Governement has only succeeded in impeeding the citizens’ fundamental human right of expression.

The envoys were met with Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Abuja on Monday.

According to US ambassador to Nigeria, Mary-Beth Leonards, who spoke on behalf of the others, Nigeiria is a country destined to succeed and they are happy about it. 

She said:

“We are here as partners who want to see Nigeria succeed. We want to see this place unified, peaceful and prosperous and that’s how all of our activities are arranged. I think we have to be very clear that we are Nigeria’s strong partners on issues of security and we recognise the daunting times and the array of security challenges that confront Nigeria.

“While they are daunting, they are not insurmountable and part of the way to surmount them is through partnership of the people you see represented here.

“Not only in physical security but in terms of expanding opportunities and promoting mediation and dialogue; this is all very important and we look forward to continuing that partnership and continuing our conversation around important issues like media freedom.

“We re-affirm our position that free access to the ability to express oneself is actually very important and perhaps more important in troubled times.”

Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister of Foreign Affairs said that although, the ban on Twitter will soon be lifted, there are certain conditions that must be met.

“The condition would be a responsible use of the social media and that really has to be it.

“We are not saying that Twitter is threatening the country or any such thing; why we have taken this measure is to stop them to be used as platforms for destabilization and facilitation of criminality or encouragement of criminalities,” the minister said.

Source: Channels TV

Featured Image Source: Punch Newspaper