Buhari: I’ve asked for Twitter’s suspension to be lifted if certain conditions are met

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that the suspension of Twitter be lifted only if the conditions for citizens to use the platform for positive engagements are met.

Buhari made the announcement on Friday during a speech commemorating Nigeria’s 61st anniversary of independence.

The president stated that his administration is committed to ensuring that digital companies use their platforms to improve the lives of Nigerians.

“Following the suspension of Twitter operations, Twitter Inc. sought to resolve the impasse with the Federal Government of Nigeria. As a result, I formed a Presidential Committee to engage Twitter in order to explore the possibility of resolving the issue,” he said.

“The committee, in collaboration with its technical team, has engaged with Twitter and addressed a number of critical issues. National Security and Cohesion; Registration, Physical Presence, and Representation; Fair Taxation; Dispute Resolution; and Local Content are among them.

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“Following extensive engagements, the issues are being addressed, and I have directed that the suspension be lifted, but only if the conditions for our citizens to continue using the platform for business and positive engagements are met.

“As a country, we are committed to ensuring that digital companies use their platforms to improve the lives of our citizens while also respecting Nigeria’s sovereignty, cultural values, and promoting online safety.”

According to the president, some users have used social media to carry out criminal activities, and his government has suspended Twitter to investigate these allegations.

“Social media is a very useful platform that has allowed millions of Nigerians to connect with loved ones, promote their businesses, socialize, and access news and other information,” he continued.

“Recent events have demonstrated that the platform is more than just a harmless platform for information dissemination.

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“Rather, some users have taken advantage of the platform to plan, coordinate, and carry out criminal activities, spread fake news, and promote ethnic and religious sentiments.”

The federal government suspended Twitter’s operation in June, just days after the president’s tweet about the 1967 civil war was deleted by the microblogging site. The tweet threatened to treat Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) members in the “language they understand.”