PDP Representatives Threaten FG With Lawsuit If Twitter Ban Is Lifted.

 

PDP Representatives Threaten FG With Lawsuit If Twitter Ban Is Lifted.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the House of Representatives has warned that if the federal government does not change its decision to halt Twitter's operations in the country, it would sue. 

The caucus also requested that the government reverse its mandate directing the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to begin licensing social media operators in the country.

The suspension of Twitter in Nigeria was criticized by the PDP caucus as "another step in a series of measures to curtail Nigerian citizens' fundamental rights as entrenched in and safeguarded by Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution." 

The PDP caucus leader announced this in a statement titled "Press Release on Twitter Suspension in Nigeria" issued on Sunday.

A statement by the caucus partly read:

“As members and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party caucus in the House of Representatives of the National Assembly, our objectives are to ensure compliance with the rule of law, good governance, the preservation of law and order, fidelity to the principles of constitutionalism and the general adherence to democratic ethos and principles in public administration throughout the length and breadth of the Federation.

“In the discharge of our foremost duty as custodians of the Constitution and representatives of the Nigerian people, we hereby request the Federal Government to immediately reverse the decision to suspend the access of Nigerian citizens to Twitter.

“We also call on the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture to immediately rescind its directive to the National Broadcasting Commission to begin the licensing of social media operators in the country, having regard to the absence of any enabling legislative framework for such directive.

“We, hereby, give you notice that in the event of the failure, refusal and or neglect of the Federal Government to withdraw, reverse and/or cease the implementation of these oppressive and unconstitutional actions, we shall be constrained to institute legal proceedings at the appropriate judicial venue within the shortest possible time.”