Femi Gbajabiamila
HighlightTop StoryTrending Story

Reps summon Lai Mohammed over Twitter ban

115

As the dust of Twitter suspension in Nigeria is yet to settle, the House of Representatives on Tuesday summoned the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed, over the matter.

The House on Tuesday mandated its Committees on Communication, Justice, lnformation and Culture, and National Security and lntelligence to immediately commence an investigation into the suspension of the microblogging site.

Speaking at the plenary, the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, noted that the micro-blogging platform had become a huge communication tool and platform for enterprise, especially for the teeming youths in the country.

He noted that the lawmakers had been inundated with protests and demands for intervention by the parliament.

“The House of Representatives recognises that Twitter, like other social media networks, is an important tool for communication and commerce in Nigeria, particularly amongst the younger generation who have used these networks for enterprise and innovation with great success.

“It is in service of our obligations under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and our moral duty to the Nigerian people that the leadership of the House has decided to mandate the House Committees on Communication, Justice, Information and Culture, and National Security and Intelligence to immediately commence an investigation to determine the circumstances of the decision by the Federal Government of Nigeria to suspend the operations of Twitter in Nigeria, and the legal authority for the ban on the operations of Twitter in Nigeria.

“The Committees are additionally mandated to invite the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, to brief the House of Representatives on the objectives, intent, and duration of the suspension on the operations of Twitter in Nigeria, and to report to the House within 10 days,” Gbajabiamila said.

Meanwhile, lawmakers of the opposition People’s Democratic Party have staged a walkout from the chambers following ther rejection of the “Point of Order” raised by their leader, Kingsley Chinda.

He had the Speaker as an additional prayer to the setting up of the Committee to probe the Twitter ban by the federal government to rescind its decision in the meantime.

But the speaker rejected the point of order, saying that a decision has been taken on the matter.

He, therefore, asked Chinda to sit but refused and was still standing and continuing with his motion.

A rowdy session had ensued following Gbajabiamila’s insistence while the PDP members walked out.

He described as unfortunate a situation whereby some “seasoned lawmakers” who know the rules would deliberately want to disrupt the House proceedings.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

FAAN shuts down KFC outlet at Lagos Airport over discrimination against ex-Gov Daniel’s son

Barely 24 hours after Debola Daniel, son of former Ogun State Governor...

Atiku’s campaign DG switches loyalty, drums support for Tinubu, Fubara

A chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, who...

Just in: FCT court discharges, acquits ex-AGF Adoke in OPL 245 fraud charge

The FCT High Court in Jabi, Abuja, on Thursday dismissed the charges...

63-year-old woman, teenage girl, two others killed in U.S. stabbing spree

A man armed with a knife went on a stabbing spree in...

FG to collect only nine types of taxes, says FIRS chairman

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) says in line with the presidential...

After 14 days in detention, First News editor, Segun Olatunji, breathes air of freedom

The Editor of FirstNews, a digital newspaper, Segun Olatunji, on Thursday regained...

N3trn budget padding: Sen. Ningi threatens legal action if suspension is not lifted in seven days

Abdul Ningi, the senator representing Bauchi Central, has given Senate President Godswill...

Delta military killings: DHQ declares Prof. Arthur, Amagben, six others wanted

The Defence Headquarters has declared eight people wanted over the recent killing...

Eniola Ajao apologizes over “AJAKAJU” movie premiere controversy

Actress Eniola Ajao has issued an apology to the public in the...

Soneye, NNPC Ltd.’s spokesman, wins NIPR’s Distinguished Spokesperson Award

Mr. Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company...

Ex-Presidential media aide, Akande criticises LP’s leadership, urges party’s alignment with national interest

Mr. Laolu Akande, a former presidential assistant, has expressed dissatisfaction with the...

Economic hardship: Ogun Govt. begins sale of rice at 50 percent price reduction to workers, public

Ogun Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has announced that his administration will start selling...

FG committed to steel industry revitalization to drive infrastructural development, says Industry Minister, Dr Uzoka-Anite

The Federal Government is committed to industry rehabilitation, with a focus on...

Pres. Tinubu pays last respect to 17 soldiers murdered in Delta State

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday extended scholarships to the children of the...

Easter: FG declares Friday, March 29, Monday, April 1 public holidays

The Federal Government has declared Friday, March 29, and Monday, April 1,...

Fake, unwholesome products: NAFDAC seals 10 bakeries, 8 table water factories in Rivers

The National Agency for Food and Drug Control (NAFDAC) has shut down...

Just in: Bodies of 17 slain gallant soldiers arrive at Abuja military cemetery for burial

The bodies of the 17 military personnel slain recently at Okuama, Delta...

Climate change, food security: AfDB approves $50 million for Yobe State

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has granted a $50 million loan...

Ex Guinea-Bissau President’s Son Jailed in U.S. for Drug Trafficking

Malam Bacai Sanha Jr, the son of a former president of Guinea-Bissau,...

Kidnappers ‘ll be treated as terrorists, they are cowards going after soft targets – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has called for treating those involved in kidnapping as...