We Are Tracking Twitter Ownership Changes And Fake News – Lai Mohammed

The Federal Government has said that it is keeping an eye on events regarding the purchase of the microblogging service Twitter by a new owner, Elon Musk.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the minister of information, presented the government’s position on Thursday during a press conference in Abuja.

According to the minister, the site was suspended last year because of some elements’ propensity to use it to spread false information, hate speech, and fake news about Nigeria.

Mohammed emphasized that the government has no plans to prevent any media from carrying out its responsibilities. However, it would also forbid any platform from being used to destabilize the nation.

Minister remarked:

“Many have called to ask us what will become of our agreement with Twitter in view of the change in its ownership.

“Many have asked for our reaction following reports that there has been a spike in fake news, disinformation and hate speech since the micro-blogging site changed ownership.

“Many have even asked us if another ban is in the offing?

“Let me say this: We are closely monitoring the evolving developments at Twitter. It has never been our intention to ban any social media platform or stifle free speech. Not at all.

“What happened in the case of Twitter is well known to all. Twitter became a platform of choice for those who want to destabilise Nigeria, using fake news, disinformation and hate speech.

“No nation will allow any social media platform to plunge it into anarchy. Definitely not Nigeria.

“But we have continued to engage positively with the different social media platforms, including Facebook, Google (owners of YouTube) and Twitter.

“We have no intention of banning any social media platform again. But we will also not sit by and allow any platform whatsoever to throw our nation into crisis,” the minister said.