Nigeria suspends Twitter indefinitely after social platform blocks its President's account

Amidst growing discontent against Twitter, Nigeria became first country to suspend US-based micro-blogging website in African continent. Accusing Twitter of double standards, Nigerian government ceased operations of social media platform after it froze President Muhammu Buhari's account. Notably, Twitter h months ago banned former US President Donald Trump for allegedly inciting violence during unfortunate breach of Capitol Hill. 

Making announcement on Friday, Nigeria's Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed condemned 'persistent use' of Twitter for activities allegedly capable of undermining Nigeria's corporate existence. stern action comes days after Twitter removed a post by Nigeria's President that threatened punishment for separatists in country's souast region that officials have blamed for frequent attacks on federal property. 

"Many of those misbehaving today are too young to be aware of destruction and loss of lives that occurred during Nigerian Civil War. Those of us in field for 30 months, who went through war, will treat m in language y understand," Nigerian President h tweeted which was later taken down. Alleging that Buhari's aforementioned tweet violated social media platform's 'abusive behaviour' policy, Twitter removed post and suspended his account for 12 hours. 

Nigeria accuses Twitter of double standards

Nigeria's Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed called Twitter’s mission in Nigeria “suspicious” and ded that US technology company has an agenda. 

"We have a country to rule, and we will do so to best of our ability. Twitter's mission in Nigeria is very suspect, y have an agenda. mission of Twitter in Nigeria is very suspicious," Mohammed h said on May 2, as per ANI. 

Furr, Nigerian minister said that social media firm h overlooked tweets of leing secessionists in nation. He went on to say that when people were burning police stations and killing policemen in Nigeria during 'End SARS', a decentralised social movement, n for Twitter it was about right to protest. “But when a similar thing happened in US, it became insurrection,” Mohammed said. 

Twitter faces backlash in India 

significant development comes at a time when California-based social media platform is facing backlash in India as well. While new IT rules for social media platforms came into effect on May 25 this year, Twitter is yet to comply with guidelines despite stating that it 'strives' to do so. Government of India in a stern communication h objected against its non-compliance and issued a warning to firm. matter has reached courts with Delhi High Court journing matter until July 6.