A group, De Norsemen Kclub International, has expressed concern following the suspension of microblogging platform, Twitter by the Nigeria government.

The suspension order came two days after Twitter had removed what is considered offensive in President Buhari’s tweets in line with the social media company’s “abusive” behaviour policy.

De Norsemen Kclub while reacting on Monday through a statement signed by its President, Chief Dr. Adeshopa Giwa, described the decision by the Nigeria government as undemocratic.

It expressed disappointment that a government that was enthroned through the democratic process, and prides itself as an upholder of democratic principles, can take such decision without recourse to democratic principles and constitutionality.

The group while condemning the ban, said a government that has nothing to hide will not be afraid of free speech and will allow its citizens to express themselves and take responsibility for their expressions.

De Norsemen Kclub while urging the Federal government to desist from mocking itself, emphasised that freedom of speech is an inalienable constitutional right of citizens and must be respected by the Buhari-led government.

The statement reads partly: “De Norsemen Kclub International wish to remind the Federal Government that a government that has nothing to hide is not afraid of free speech. The rule should be: Let the people express themselves and take responsibility of their expressions. We want to emphasize that freedom of speech is an inalienable constitutional right of citizens. Citizens’ right to free expression is non-negotiable and it is only a court of competent jurisdiction, and not the fiat of government, that can determine when the expression of citizens runs foul of the law.

“There is no doubt that the Twitter suspension has sent the wrong signal that this government is intolerant to opposing views. This is antithetical to democratic inclusion. This unfortunate suspension has downgraded the already challenged image of the country, and will no doubt, scare away investors, and lead to the downturn of investment and employment generation.

“Let the government know that the suspension of Twitter is a mockery of itself, because Nigerians are still twitting through the use of VPN. This is to show that no amount of suppression and intimidation can cow Nigerians. It is also an indication that the government cannot win the war against free speech.

“The suspension of Twitter affirms the shrinking of the civic space. Democracy cannot thrive in a space where government determines what should be said and how it should be said.”

De Norsemen Kclub advised Nigerians to do the needful through the electoral process adding that any government that panic at the voices dissent has seriously derailed in the act of governance.

It equally called on the Buhari-led government to immediately lift the suspension on Twitter unconditionally.

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