Twitter Ban: An attack on the freedom of expression of the Nigerian youths – Engr Adedeji Doherty

The Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Lagos State Chapter, Engr Adedeji Doherty has lashed out at the President Buhari led APC Government over the recent suspension of Twitter in Nigeria, stating that, the economic importance of Twitter cannot be swept under the carpet.

Engr Doherty stated that the decision to ban Twitter is a very dangerous one.

He made this known at a recent interview in Lagos, stating that “The Nigerian economy is already battling with the effects of Covid19, unemployment, insecurity and now the Twitter ban.”

He noted that the positive sides of social media largely outweighs whatever anyone might think are the negatives.

Twitter has been the most effective medium the youths have used to communicate with their leaders.

It has also been an alternative job creation avenue, as the youths have successfully keyed into social media to empower themselves.

He said “Social media has helped the Nigerian Youths in galvanising income, it has been a tool that has been getting them engaged, it has also been a source of information gathering and dissemination.”

He said the Buhari led government should consciously ask itself, if social media and indeed Twitter has not been the fastest way of reaching out to all and sundry.

He said that, how does a government feel the pulse of its people, particularly the youths, if it does not venture into their environment?

Engr Doherty however stated that no Nigerian today is happy about the rate of fuel pump price increases, depreciation of the Naira, the high level of insecurity and the high rate of inflation to mention but a few of what they are presently battling with, hence there is bound to be dissenting voices and criticism.

He queried the government, stating that “how does a government execute good governance without critics?”

He postulated that the Cable News Network (CNN), was very visibly against the Donald Trump Government, but they were never yanked off air.

He advised that the government should understand that governance today, determines the future and the youths are the future of the nation.

He further advised the FG to take note that the Youths of the entire Southern region of the country are the most affected by the Twitter ban for obvious reasons and knowing fully well that the south is the economic hub of the nation.

He stated that the ban in all ramifications is a huge security risk as so many youths would have been disenfranchised by the ban.

Engr Doherty said “ Social media and indeed Twitter has systematically become a security communication point of alert for the youths today rightly or wrongly, depending on the nature of the information, and as such, government should use social media to its advantage rather than put restrictions that can hinder the super information highway from operating effectively.”

He called out to the Buhari government to be more sensitive to the yearnings of its people, particularly the youths.

Engr Doherty however, pointed out that the People’s Democratic Party in Lagos State, in line with the position of the national body is requesting that the Twitter ban should be lifted forthwith.