Despite the ban of the microblogging social site, Twitter, by the Federal Government, several top Nigerian personalities have continued to use the platform. These include the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Pastor E.A Adeboye, Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, among others.
Justifying his continuous usage of the platform via a tweet yesterday, Pastor Adeboye with 1.8 million followers on the platform noted that the RCCG is in several countries of the world. “The Redeemed Christian Church of God is domiciled in more than 170 Nations and Territories. The tweets here are in accordance to Article 19 of the UN universal declaration of Human Rights,” he tweeted.
Similarly, the Founder of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi, has also continued to share messages via his Twitter handle. He, however, noted that the messages were for his global audience. “In view of the Twitter ban in Nigeria, please note that the content shared on this handle is targeted at a global audience in more than 5 continents and over 100 Nations and we share the content from any of these locations,” he said.
The Kaduna State Governor, El-Rufai, had also on Sunday evening shared a story via his Twitter handle. Ironically, the story shared was also in support of the Twitter ban by the Nigerian government.
Like his Kaduna counterpart, the Oyo State Governor, Makinde, has also remained active on the microblogging platform. Governor Makinde, who uses the platform to share updates from the Sate and activities of the government, on Sunday tweeted about the killings in a part of the State while calling for calm. “I have received the shocking news of the attacks on residents of Igangan, Ibarapaland, in the early hours of this morning. I am currently being briefed on the incidents. I urge residents to remain calm as security operatives are now in control of the situation,” he tweeted.
Aside from the Governor’s personal handle, the Oyo State Government Twitter handle has also remained active as it continues to share activities of the State’s Government.
The former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, is also one of the most active users of Twitter in the last three days. Fayose, in one of his several tweets after the ban, had dared the Attorney General, who said anyone found using Twitter would be prosecuted. “AGF Malami, I just tweeted. No shaking!” he tweeted.
The former Governor added that “anyone they arrest will only end up being celebrated. No one should be moved by empty threats of arrest. Certainly, what has a beginning must have an end. This dictatorial government came and shall definitely go. No shaking!”
Other personalities such as the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kola Ologbondiyan, social activist, Aisha Yesufu, have also remained active on the platform despite the ban.
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