Published 13th Jan, 2022

By Emmanuel Uti

Nigerians are reacting to the decision of the federal government to lift the ban on Twitter eight months after suspending the activities of the micro-blogging platform in Nigeria.

The FG on June 5, 2021, banned Twitter after it deleted President Buhari’s tweets threatening a war because of the ongoing insurgency in the southeast.

However, eight months after, when many Nigerians had learned to access Twitter with Virtual Private Networks (VPN), the government lifted the ban.

But many Nigerians think the government lifted the ban in preparation for the next general election.

Festus Ogun, a human rights lawyer, said the lifting of the ban was about the 2023 elections.

“FG lifted Twitter ban to allow APC continue with their campaign on Twitter, given that this space controls the narrative on social ting media. The lifting of Twitter ban is about the 2023 general election,” he said.

FG lifted Twitter ban to allow APC continue with their campaign on Twitter given that this space controls the narrative on social media.

The lifting on Twitter ban is about the 2023 General election.

Be mindful of your jubilation, tweeps.
— FESTUS OGUN (@mrfestusogun) January 12, 2022

In a bid to perpetuate this regime of death, poverty and sorrow in power, Buhari has whimsically lifted the ban on Twitter. We have no reason to jubilate. After the 2023 election, internet shutdowns will become a norm. #TwitterBan #JusticeForAll
— FESTUS OGUN (@mrfestusogun) January 12, 2022

Other Twitter users share the same sentiment with Ogun. We highlight some of the reactions below:

No more VPN at last???

Election Campaign has officially kicked off.
— Oyiga Micheal (@Nsukka_okpa) January 12, 2022

https://twitter.com/madam_eddy/status/1481358402538569728

Not FG lifting the #TwitterBan 13 months to election, so they can come back and use this same social media to campaign.

Affliction shall not rise a second time.🙏🏾#KeepitOn
— QueenEsther Iroanusi (@QueenExtha) January 12, 2022

Loool. APC is so predictable. They've now lifted #TwitterBan few hours after this 👇🏼, exactly for the reason raised in this tweet. But wait for BMC trolls to swamp this space soon, telling us @jack and friends have capitulated. Clowns 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡 https://t.co/mzwGNZZ2qB
— Fatima #ObiDatti (First Lady™)أميرة المملكة الوسطى (@AmazingEleojo) January 12, 2022

They had to lift the #Twitterban. Election is nigh. They need the platform more than ever.

Shameless people.#KeepitOn https://t.co/Txe6PiWegP
— Akíntúndé Babátúndé (@olorunwababs) January 12, 2022

The people didn't leave Twitter, the government did. So they need the people for election, that is why they are lifting the #TwitterBan

This government knows the importance of Twitter towards election. Don't let anyone deceive you. APC loves the App more than what you thought.
— FS Yusuf (@FS_Yusuf_) January 12, 2022

Facebook users think similarly.

Amid the concerns of Nigerians regarding the lifting of the ban, some Twitter users have noted that the president will not find it easy when he resumes tweeting after the suspension.

.@MBuhari or whoever is managing the account go see shege when he resumes tweeting after lifting this suspension.
— Gimba Kakanda (@gimbakakanda) January 12, 2022

Others believe the reactions of Nigerian Twitter users to Buhari’s first tweet since the suspension of the ban will be unimaginable.

They said FG have lifted the Twitter ban.

Can’t wait for Buhari’s first tweet. The ratio go too mad.😭😂
— SMALLIE (@the_smallie) January 12, 2022

https://twitter.com/principe_viii/status/1481363621229781003

Many Twitter users, particularly iPhone users, are lamenting the effect of extensive usage of VPN on their batteries.

Buhari lift Twitter ban after battery don spoil finish

How many percent is your battery now? 😂
— JayNaija (@Jaynaija) January 12, 2022

For many others, the Twitter ban was unnecessary and therefore did not achieve anything.

The Twitter ban should never have happened in the first place. There's nothing to celebrate here.

Twitter ban is just one of many wrongs that should be righted.
—
To all Nigerian tweeps, kindly return home from your VPN trips. I'm leaving Zurich tonight. 😊

RCCG NDLEA Bubu
— Stephen Angbulu (@AngbuluStephen) January 12, 2022

BREAKING:
222 Days after Twitter Ban,
The lunatic Buhari Govt announces the lifting of the Twitter ban from 12am this midnight.

Gained nothing.
Achiever nothing.
Ruined businesses.

Nigeria has lost about 1 billion dollars because a mad President felt his ego crushed by Twitter.
— #OurFavOnlineDoc 🩺 🇬🇧 (@DrOlufunmilayo) January 12, 2022

Not them unbanning themselves from their self imposed #TwitterBan as if they didn't know we've been using Twitter all along
F00lish old cargos pic.twitter.com/wrlqLZpCu3
— Name Can Be Blank (@Ericas6packs) January 12, 2022

Meanwhile, Nigerians have begun to delete VPNs on their phones as they can now access Twitter.

To making sure those who infringed on our rights never get to do so again. #TwitterBan pic.twitter.com/Xy765Q6NNj
— Rinu Oduala 🔥🔫 (@SavvyRinu) January 12, 2022

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