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Govt, Twitter Begin Talks To End Ban

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Twitter Shares Jump 3% On Reports It could Accept Elon Musk's Bid

The indefinite suspension the Federal Government imposed on the operations of Twitter may soon be lifted.

This is because the government and officials of the microblogging platform have begun talks toward resolving their dispute.

This development was disclosed by a source in the presidency.

The source, who pleaded not to be named because he was not authorised to speak, said the suspension would be lifted when all the issues had been resolved.

The source said: “I can confirm to you that the engagement between the Federal government and Twitter management has commenced.”

On when the suspension will be lifted, the source said: “That would be when all the issues of the dispute have been properly trashed out.”

The Federal Government on June 4 suspended Twitter indefinitely, drawing condemnation from Nigerians and the international community.

The Federal Government cited the persistent use of the platform for activities that were capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence as the reason for the decision.

READ ALSO: We Haven’t Banned Twitter In Nigeria – Govt Tells Court

Many described the ban as a violation of the right to free speech and access to information.

The suspension came soon after a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari was deleted.

A delegation led by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed was appointed to lead the discussion with Twitter.

The decision to ban Twitter in Africa’s most populous country has dealt a blow to its revenue ambitions, according to a report by africanews.com/.

It quoted a report by Netblocks Cost of Shutdown Tools, which uses the classic Free Digital App GDP impact technique.

The report says Nigeria has lost at least $243 million in 51 days since the Twitter shutdown.

Despite this, Twitter posted stronger-than-expected earnings for the second quarter thanks to growing advertising demand across all geographic regions and types of ad products.

The San Francisco-based company earned $65.6 million, or eight cents per share, in the April-June quarter. That’s up from a loss of $1.38 billion, or $1.75 per share, a year earlier.

Twitter recorded $1.19 billion in revenue in Q2 2021, against the $683.4 million Twitter reported for the corresponding period of Q2 2020.

READ ALSO: Twitter Ban Temporary – Presidency

The United Nations, foreign capitals from Washington to London and rights groups have all condemned the ban as a threat to the freedom of expression.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) are challenging the ban in court.

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I Removed Subsidy To Stop Nigeria From Playing Father Christmas – Tinubu

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Senator Withdraws Support For Tinubu Over Choice Of Muslim Running Mate
President Bola Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has offered insight into why he declared the removal of petroleum subsidy during his inauguration on May 29,2023.

According to Tinubu, a crucial reason for the removal was to stop Nigeria from continuing to play the role of a Father Christmas to neighbouring African countries by providing them subsidised petrol.

The president, who was speaking on Friday at an interactive session with select Nigerian traditional rulers, under the auspices of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), at the State House, Abuja, described the subsidy as an elephant that could have collapsed the country “because it is struggling to pay salaries.”

Tinubu told the traditional leaders: “I am grateful that you are paying attention to what I have been doing. You have paid attention to the subsidy removal. Why should we in good heart and sense, feed smugglers and be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries, even though they say not every day is Christmas? The elephant that was going to bring Nigeria to its knees is the subsidy; a country that cannot pay salaries. I think we did the right thing.”

Tinubu appealed to the traditional leaders to persuade Nigerians to have faith in the removal of subsidy, promising that the pump prices of fuel would eventually come down.

The president reiterated his pledge to Nigerians to prioritise security until every Nigerian “goes to sleep with their two eyes closed.”

According to him, the unity and togetherness of the country cannot be compromised, saying every region of the country would get what it is due.

Condemning crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region “by a tiny percentage of the population,” President Tinubu said it was counterproductive to the growth of the economy.

He said: “We need to tame those involved in this sabotage and we will work as hard as possible to ensure that the diversity of this country is used for its prosperity, growth and stability.”

Tinubu stressed that with the campaigns and elections over, he is primed for governance, and his government has already signed a law that extends the retirement age of judicial officers from 65 to 70 years, while also addressing pension reforms. Also speaking on electricity, President Tinubu said a constitutional amendment signed into law now allows the nation’s 36 States to generate electricity.

He said: “That’s devolution of power and that should be our contribution to the developmental projects you are looking for and we will continue in ways that will help our people.”

He assured the traditional rulers in the country that his administration would run an open-door policy that is ready to listen to the yearnings of Nigerians toward transforming the country’s rich potential to reality.

Tinubu said: “We are all ears. We are ready to listen at any given time. I promise you an open-door policy and that is the way I will go.That open-door policy is for you to call me and send to me at any given time any concern that you might have.

“We may not have it right 100 percent of the time but we must get it right 90 percent of the time for this country”.

Responding to issues raised by the monarchs on challenges facing the country, President Tinubu assured them, saying “worry not because the country is in good hands,” adding that his administration is very conscious of the expectations of Nigerians.While acknowledging concerns on the need for critical infrastructure in different parts of the country, the President assured that any road block in the way of the progress of the Nigerian people would be removed by his government.

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BREAKING:Tinubu Suspends Emefiele As CBN Governo

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CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele

President Bola Tinubu on Friday suspended Godwin Emefiele as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor.

The Director of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Willie Bassey on Friday declared in a statement: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has suspended the Central Bank Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, CFR, from office with immediate effect.

“This is sequel to the ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the financial sector of the economy.

“Mr Emefiele has been directed to immediately hand over the affairs of his office to the Deputy Governor (Operations Directorate), who will act as the Central Bank Governor pending the conclusion of the investigation and the reforms.”

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BREAKING: Tinubu, PDP’s G5 Members Meet In Aso Rock

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President Bola Tinubu and the members of G5 or the Integrity Group of the Peoples’ Democratic Party )PDP) met at the Aso Villa, Abuja.

The G5 group, led by one serving governor and four former governors caused a major division within the Peoples Democratic Party after demanding the then National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu step down for a southern replacement as a precondition to support the presidential ambition of the party’s flag bearer, Atiku Abubakar in the February 25 poll.

Both Atiku and Ayu called the then governors’ bluff and did not succumb to their demands in the just-concluded elections.

Makinde and Wike reportedly played supportive roles to Tinubu ensure his victory at the February 25, presidential election.

Those at the meeting are Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state as well as former Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).

The current governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah was also present.

Tinubu had met with Wike and Makinde some times since his election and inauguration.

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