Buhari orders radio, TV stations to delete Twitter accounts

The Federal President of the Nation, Rtd. General Muhammadu Buhari has ordered all radio and TV stations to delete Twitter accounts, citing an earlier ban on the social media platform.

The Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) issued the directive in a statement on Monday morning.

The NBC in its Monday morning statement touted its powers to regulate activities of broadcast stations, including enforcement of federal laws and regulations.

The commission advised its Broadcasting stations to de-install their Twitter handles and desist from using Twitter as a source of information and gathering news and program.

The press release stated that the constitution entrusted the commission with the responsibility to ensure strict adherence to the National laws, rules, and regulations.

The statement also warned broadcasters to be mindful of materials that may cause disaffection, incite panic, or rift in the society, in the use of user-generated content UGC.

The commission however noted that it will be unpatriotic for any broadcaster in Nigeria to continue to patronize the suspended Twitter as a source of its information.

It was earlier reported that the federal government has suspended, indefinitely, the operations of the microblogging and social networking service, Twitter, in Nigeria.

In a statement on Friday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, announced the suspension by his office in Abuja. The statement, signed by Ministry spokesperson, Segun Adeyemi, cited the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.

According to the statement, the Minister said the Federal Government has also directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately commence the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria.

Recall that Twitter recently deleted some tweets of President Muhammadu Buhari for allegedly contravening its rules.

The government, through Alhaji Mohammed, expressed disappointment following the actions of Twitter.

The minister said the Federal Government has also directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately commence the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria.