By 
By Nwakaego Alajemba
The Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has confirmed that its members have been instructed by the country’s telecom regulator to suspend access to Twitter.
New Social Media Platform For Africans By Africans Coming In May
Nigerians Among Internet Users MOST Likely To Quit Social Media
“We, The Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) wish to confirm that our members have received formal instructions from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the industry regulator to suspend access to Twitter.”
ALTON is the umbrella body for all mobile network operators (MNOs) in Nigeria. It expressed its position in a statement released in Lagos today.
No constitutional or legal authority to support operations of Twitter in Nigeria – NBA
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has expressed reservations over government’s decision to suspend the operation of the micro blogging site.
The NBA in a statement issued immediately after the announcement on Twitter by the Nigerian governmnet says it “finds no constitutional or legal authority to support the peremptory action of the Federal Government to suspend the operations of Twitter in Nigeria.”
The rallying ground for all lawyers in Nigeria “noted with great concern the extraordinary decision of the Federal Govt to suspend the operations of Twitter in Nigeria and, by necessary implication, the right of Nigerians to freely express their constitutionally guaranteed opinions through that medium.
Reverse decision or face legal actions – NBA
The body of lawyers led by its president, Olumide Akpata, has asked government to reverse the decision or face legal actions.
“Consequently, if this decision is not immediately reversed, the NBA will have no choice but to challenge same in the interest of the public and for the sake of our democracy.”
ALTON acting on internationally accepted principles
ALTON says it will be acting on internationally accepted principles even as he continues to engage all stakeholders with respect to issues of national security and its commitment to upholding the rights of citizens in accordance with the United Nations assertion of “the rights held by people offline must also be protected online.”
The association’s chairman, Gbenga Adebayo and executive secretary, GbolahanAwonuga state:
“ALTON has conducted a robust assessment of the request in accordance with internationally accepted principles.
“Based on national interest provisions in the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and within the licence terms under which the industry operates; our members have acted in compliance with the directives of the Nigerian Communications Commisison (NCC) the industry regulator.
“We will continue to engage all the relevant authorities and stakeholders and will act as may be further directed by the NCC.
“We remain committed to supporting the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and upholding the rights of citizens.
“As an industry, we endorse the position of the United Nations that the rights held by people offline must also be protected online. This includes respecting and protecting the rights of all people to communicate, to share information freely and responsibly, and to enjoy privacy and security regarding their data and their use of digital communications.”
Suspension will dent investors’ confidence – NBA
The NBA also expressed concerns over possible impact of the decision on investors.
“Beyond the dent on our constitutional democracy, at a time when the Nigerian economy is unarguably struggling, the impact of arbitrary decisions such as this on investor confidence is better imagined.“
Muzzling digital economy
Many experts are worried that the suspension could negatively undermine the country’s digital economy agenda. Financial technology (fintech) companies and the horde of businesses managed by thousands of young Nigerians and driven largely by social media platforms will be grossly undermined, one expert warned in Lagos.
Many investment platforms including the likes of Piggyvest, Paystack, Interswitch, and Flutterwave face a major challenge to retain investors and market confidence as government decision strongly indicates a shaky business environment.
One expert in Lagos states: “Using the Brookings Institution research methodology. This is what it will cost Nigeria if twitter is shutdown for a day. The country will lose about $6, 014, 390 (about N2, 177, 089, 051) daily.
Tweeting war
Nigeria’s current clash with Twitter started after social media platform deleted a ‘civil war’ tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari. Which the site ruled as violating its rules.
The president tweeted on Tuesday: “Many of those misbehaving today are too young to be aware of the destruction and loss of lives that occurred during the Nigerian Civil War,
“Many of those misbehaving today are too young to be aware of the destruction and loss of lives that occurred during the Nigerian Civil War,
“Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand.”
Facebook has also deleted the same post for violating Facebook’s Community Standards against inciting violence.
With the suspension, Nigeria joins list of countries which include China, Iran, North Korea, and Turkmenistan have blocked access to Twitter a s of 2019.
Last year, the Nigerian government accused Twitter of political interference over its support for the ENDSARS riots.
