Trump Heaps Praises On Buhari, Nigeria For Banning Twitter

Former President of the United States (US), Donald Trump has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for suspending the operations of Twitter in Nigeria.

According to Trump, the microblogging site has no right to dictate what is good or evil.

This was contained in a statement issued by the former US president on on Tuesday.

Trump also urged more countries to ban Twitter and Facebook, saying that the platforms do not allow free and open speech.

Trump, while recalling that his Twitter and Facebook accounts were banned stated he wished he had suspended the operations of the two platforms while he was the president.

The statement reads, “Congratulations to the people of Nigeria who just banned Twitter because they banned their President.

“More countries should ban Twitter and Facebook for not allowing free and open speech – all voices should be heard. In the meantime, competitors will emerge and take hold.

“Who are they to dictate good and evil if they themselves are evil? Perhaps, I should have done it when I was President but Zuckerberg kept calling me and coming to the White House for dinner, telling me how great I was. 2024?.”

Recall that the Federal Government had announced the indefinite suspension of Twitter in Nigeria, after the microblogging site deleted President Buhari’s tweet for allegedly violating its rules.

According to the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the suspension was hinged on “the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence”.

Trump’s account had also been banned by Twitter and Facebook after the Capitol riots in January. According to Twitter, the former US president was allegedly  inciting violence through his comments.

Similarly, The New Diplomat had reported that Facebook suspended Trump’s accounts on Facebook and Instagram platforms for two years effective Jan. 7.

Facebook, in a statement by Nick Clegg, Vice-President of Global Affairs, cited “severe violation” after Capitol Hill riots of January 6 and that Trump’s accounts would only be reinstated if conditions permit.