PDP Shuts Down official Twitter Account

Nigeria’s major opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday shutdown it’s official Twitter handle (@Pdpnigeria). The former ruling party opened a new one (@officialpdpnig), saying it has no such position as director of new media.

This is the second time in barely five months the party is closing its Twitter account following a similar action in April over claims the handle was compromised.

The  head, publicity division for the national publicity secretary, Adm. Chinwe I. Nnorom via a statement signed by the party said the decision was taken to stop further unauthorized tweets, Leadership reports.

 “I am directed by the Leadership of our great Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by H. E. Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, CON, to announce the immediate closure of the Party’s Official Twitter Handle, @pdpnigeria and re-launch of another handle for effective use and control. The New Handle is @officialpdpnig henceforth,” the statement read.

“This decision has once again become necessary due to the frequent unauthorized, and most times embarrassing tweets that emanate from the Handle tweeted by the Handlers claiming to represent the PDP. You will recall that the Party had in the past, announced the Shutdown of the Handle on two occasions when hackers manipulated it to embarrass the Party.

“Following these developments, the Party hereby informs all its members, supporters, friends, the Media and general public to ignore and disregard any tweet from the Handle @pdpnigeria forthwith.

“In view of the above, the Party has immediately re-launched a new Handle,@officialpdpnig to form part of the Social Media Platform of our great Party for ease of communication, administration and control.”

This move may not be unconnected to statements over the past week by Prince Deji Adeyanju, former director new media, challenging the APC-led government on its economic policies.

The party clarifies its position in that regard thus:

“Also, the PDP hereby states unequivocally that the position of Director of New Media is non-existent and alien to the PDP Establishment Manual, and has not appointed Prince Deji Adeyanju as the PDP Director of New Media. For emphasis, Social (new) Media is one of the Units in the Publicity Division of the Party and not a separate directorate, division or unit.

“For clarification, the National Publicity Secretary, Prince Dayo Adeyeye is currently the Chief Spokesman and Image-maker of our Party in line with the PDP Constitution. Consequently, nobody is allowed to issue official statement or speak for and on behalf of the Party except authorized by the Party hierarchy to do so. The Leadership warns that it will not hesitate to take disciplinary measures accordingly against any member that flouts this directive.

“However, the Leadership welcomes members and supporters who may wish to speak in their official or personal capacities to do so, but in tune with the Party’s rules of engagement and interest on the subject matter under discourse to avoid speaking at variance with the Party.

“Finally, the Party calls on all our members nationwide to unite and work together with the National Caretaker Committee in their quest to achieve harmony, rebrand, rebuild and revitalize the vision, mission and ideals of our founding fathers.”