Brief but Piercing Condemnation of Nigeria’s Twitter Ban
Gatefield, an international public strategy and media group based in Abuja, Nigeria, has called the recent ban of Twitter by the Nigerian Government a “big mistake” and an “ill-advised” decision.
In a letter written to President Muhammadu Buhari, the group said the ban was capable of robbing the country of revenues and opportunities it really needs.
“We understand the consequences of telling the truth. But, unfortunately, the cost of indifference is much more than we can afford to bear,” read the statement, signed by Adewunmi Emoruwa, Gatefield’s Lead Strategist.
Gatefield’s letter follows similar condemnations by several individuals and organizations. On Tuesday, the Socio-Economic Right and Accountability Project (SERAP) revealed that it had approached the ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja for an order refraining the Federal Government from implementing the controversial ban.
THE LETTER IN FULL
Mr President,
As an international public strategy and communications firm with a duly registered and tax-paying Nigerian entity, we will not hesitate to say this: your government’s decision to ban Twitter is ill-advised and a big mistake.
Several Nigerian individuals and entities in the digital communications sector have already had contracts with global organisations that they serve terminated. Mr President, our country needs more revenue and more opportunities. The citizens need jobs. This decision robs us of these opportunities.
We play by the rules. Since no Nigerian law criminalises the use of any social media platform for expression, communications, and business, we will continue to use the Twitter platform to get our work done.
We understand the consequences of telling the truth. But, unfortunately, the cost of indifference is much more than we can afford to bear.
Signed:
Adewunmi Emoruwa
Lead Strategist
Gatefield