Twitter Ban: APC Breaks Silence, Reveals What Nigerian Youths Should Do

- The APC has stood by the FG on its decision to suspends Twitter, saying it's in the interest of the country

- In a statement released by its secretary, the party advised Nigerian youths to take advantage of the Twitter ban to develop "Nigeria-made" social media apps

- The party said the federal government will provide the necessary support for Nigerians who take up the challenge to come up with the apps

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FCT, Abuja - The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged Nigerians who are well-versed in the development of social media/software applications to come up with the nation's homegrown social media apps.

The ruling party made the call in a statement signed by its caretaker national secretary, Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe, and made available to Legit.ng on Saturday, June 5.

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Legit.ng notes that the APC's statement follows the federal government's suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria.

The ruling party noted that countries like Russia and China have their own homegrown social media platforms.

The statement read in part:

"The APC believes that the country has the potentials and talents that can develop alternative and competitive applications to existing platforms in the world. Twitter's suspension will undoubtedly serve as a positive trigger to unleash the creative potentials of Nigerians in the global digital space.

"This is a challenge to our vibrant youths with such talents. They will get support in the exercise from relevant federal government agencies as well as the numerous Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training and research establishments in the country."

Twitter failed to head advice - APC

Meanwhile, the APC said it had earlier released a statement asking Twitter and other operators of social media pages to use their platforms to check divisive and inciting rhetoric, particularly in Nigeria.

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Twitter issues powerful message after ban, announces what it will do for Nigerians

The ruling party said it tasked the social media platforms on the important responsibilities to curb fake news, disinformation, hate speech, among others.

It, however, submitted that Twitter failed to heed the advice and even allowed its "platform to be used by arsonists, insurrectionists and separatists in the country."

The party concluded:

"We are a democratic and independent nation, citizens should defend our sovereignty by supporting the federal government's Twitter suspension. It is in our national interest."

Malami orders prosecution of Twitter ban violators

Meanwhile, Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), has ordered the immediate prosecution of Nigerians who are still accessing Twitter despite the suspension of the microblogging platform.

Despite the suspension, it is gathered that some Nigerians are still accessing the social media platform through a virtual private network (VPN).

The development prompted AGF Malami to instruct the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation to persecute those violating the Twitter suspension.

Source: Legit.ng