The Nigerian government says the ban on operations of microblogging platform Twitter will be lifted soon following “extremely positive” talks.
Speaking to reporters after Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, the country’s Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said negotiations with the social networking service site have been largely successful as some of the issues it raised with the company has been resolved.
Nigeria had on June 4 announced the indefinite suspension of Twitter’s operation following the deleting of tweets made by President Muhammadu Buhari, who had threatened to treat members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the language they understand.
The West African country also cited “the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence” as the reason for the suspension.
Mr Mohammed however told journalists that the areas still pending include setting up a Twitter office and having a Twitter staff of management cadre that will serve as the country representative.
The minister says most of the conditions given to the platform have been accepted. “The end for amicable resolution is very much in sight,” Mr Mohammed said.
“We appreciate the patience of Nigerians. I want to assure you that we have made very tremendous progress. We have met with Twitter both physically and in writing. We are actually almost there.
“The engagement has been extremely positive without any acrimony. We have made it clear what we want from Twitter.”
“They (Twitter) have shown a lot of flexibility, the conversation has not been acrimonious.”
By Abel Ejikeme