The House of Representatives on Thursday, rejected a motion to lift the suspension placed on the operations of Twitter in Nigeria.
It however endorsed the federal government’s decision to dialogue with Twitter.
The lawmakers took the decision after Olusegun Odebunmi, chairman of the house committee on information, national orientation, ethics and values, moved a motion for the consideration of the committee’s report.
Following the suspension of the operations of the microblogging platform in the country, the green chamber mandated four of its committees to summon Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, to explain the circumstances behind the restriction on Twitter’s operations.
But when he appeared before the panel on June 22, Mohammed said the operation of Twitter in the country “is not legally permissible”.
As the report was considered on Thursday, the house was thrown into a rowdy session.
Idris Wase, deputy speaker of the house and chairman of committee of the whole, who presided over the session, tackled Odebunmi over the report.
He said the national security adviser (NSA) was not invited to participate at the investigative hearing.
But responding, Odebunmi said all the stakeholders were available at the hearing, adding that the NSA was represented.
Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house, while contributing to the motion, said the hearing was conducted publicly.
“I will address the salient points. The reasons have been addressed. Lai Mohammed was invited. It wasn’t done in secret. It was well covered by radio, TV, papers. Whatever side we are on, the committee invited the minister,” he said.
But Toby Okechuchwu, deputy minority leader of the house, kicked against the recommendations, adding that the report should not be considered.
“The committee has not done a prudent work, and because they have not asked the parliament to take a resolution on this, it speaks to no issue,” he said.
“I will say that this report should not be considered. Why is there no legal angle to the decision on these other social media groups? They should go back and do a thorough job.”