Governor of Benue state, Samuel Ortom has asked the presidency to urgently consider the reversal of the ban on Twitter operation in the country to reassure the international community that Nigeria has not become a hostile country to investors.
Ortom described the Federal Government’s decision as an ill-advised diversion from the core issues of insecurity and injustice plaguing the nation.
This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase.
According to the statement, the governor said the Twitter ban offers no solution to any of the myriad of problems facing the country, and stresses that the move is only capable of heightening tensions and fueling suspicions among Nigerians over the real motives of the Federal Government.
He stated that the act of suspending Twitter amounts to suppressing freedom of expression, gagging social media and undermining fundamental human rights of Nigerians, a development he says contravenes Chapter four of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Governor Ortom emphasized the need for the Federal Government to listen to the views and yearnings of the people to enable it address the challenges confronting the nation.
The Governor appealed to those saddled with the responsibility of advising the Presidency to always put national interest above personal, regional, ethnic, religious and political affiliations.