- * Says Twitter Suspension Unleashed Severe Consequences On Nation's Economy, Civic Space
By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-Chief)
A Civil Liberty and Economic Rights Group, Spaces For Change/S4C, has warned on the need for caution by the Federal Government and the country's decision-makers in dealing with issues as the recent suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria, saying that the backlash effects of such action have great negative impacts on both the civic space, the nation's economy, and on the everyday life of Nigerians.
Welcoming the government's change of heart on the revocation of the long period of ban on Twitter, Spaces For Change/S4C said while the suspension lasted, a greater proportion of Nigerians were denied access to real-time and unfiltered information and conversations, especially on governance. The group also claimed that the suspension of the foreign-owned social media micro-blogging platform in Nigeria based on alleged threats to national security and social cohesion, "represents the most glaring example of how state authorities use security as an excuse to interrupt citizens' access to information and communication sites perceived to be sympathetic to anti-government rhetoric".
The Executive Director of Spaces For Change/S4C, Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, in a statement, warned that the implications of the Twitter ban is yet far from over. She stated that the suspension also undermined press freedom and the online civic space.
"Before the Twitter ban, controversial legislative proposals like the Social Media and Hate Speech bills have been introduced in the federal parliament seeking to increase governmental powers to regulate the social media, control the digital spaces, undertake surveillance operations and intrude personal privacy. Several statements credited to state officials betray the proclivity of the federal government to restrict free speech, stifle dissent and control the press. These trends pose significant challenges to civil society".
- Related Articles: SPACES FOR CHANGE/S4C DEPLORES OIL SPILLS IN BAYELSA COMMUNITY
- SPACES FOR CHANGE COMMENDS IMO STATE GOVT FOR RETURNING SEIZED PLOTS OF LAND TO ORIGINAL OWNERS
Speaking specifically on the direct impact of the 222 days ban on Twitter on Nigeria's economy during the period, Ibezim-Ohaeri claimed reports indicated that about a total of N2.5 billion was lost each day of the ban by the Nigerian economy. "Many small businesses, tech start-ups, and young Nigerians were the hardest hit by the ban. Nigeria boasts of the largest number of startups in the tech ecosystem in Africa and most of these startups use Twitter to attract investment. So biting were the effects of the Twitter ban that most Nigerians were willing to expose themselves to the security threats associated with using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in order to circumvent the blockade and access the platform".
She claims that lifting the ban at a period the political mood of the country is responding to the rhythms of the 2023 general elections politics and campaigns was probably the government's major consideration for the revocation. According to the Spaces For Change/S4C Executive Director, politicians, after winning elections following intense campaigns on social media, often develop "Twitter-phobia", and "strive to destroy the very bridge they used to climb to power". She however warned that politicians who benefitted from the use of Twitter to ascend to positions of public trust after political campaigns should not be afraid of being held accountable on Twitter.
Ibezim-Ohaeri therefore urged civic actors not to relent in holding political leaders accountable. "Spaces For Change/S4C sympathizes with every Nigerian who experienced social and economic losses as a result of the ban. We call on the Nigerian authorities to ensure the civic space remains open and free before, during and after the elections", she stated. NNL.
