The Federal Government has summoned the ambassadors of the United States, European Union, and the High Commissioners of Canada, the UK, and the Republic of Ireland that issued a joint statement on Saturday condemning the government’s ban on Twitter to explain the reason behind their alleged brazen criticism of the Nigerian Government policy.
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The envoys arrived at the Headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 12pm on Monday and immediately went into a closed-door meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama.
Some Diplomatic envoys in Nigeria have insisted that the ban on Twitter by the Nigerian government is unacceptable and must be rescinded.
United States Ambassador to Nigeria spoke after a closed-door meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama.
The Nigeria government had invited envoys of the United States, United Kingdom, European union, Canada and the Republic of Ireland on the the Twitter ban matter.
The invited countries are believed to have expressed concerns over the Twitter ban.
The US envoy, Mary Leonard added that access to social media by citizens is germane to freedom of speech which in turn is a prerequisite for democratic culture.
Leonard is optimistic on the Federal government reaching a common ground as the Nigerian Government is locked in discussions with Twitter Inc.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Godfrey Onyeama confirmed that the Nigerian government was in dialogue with Twitter adding that conditions may be given before the ban will be lifted.
(Editor : Ena Agbanoma)
