The National Communications Commission (NCC), has reacted to the news making rounds beer parlors, social media and some mainstream media outlets that, there will be a total shutdown of telecom networks throughout the duration of the Presidential Election scheduled to take place on Saturday 25th February, 2023.
According to those retailing this unfounded gossip, the idea was to frustrate transfer of cash from one person to the other, so as to prevent vote buying. This we learnt is against the perception that the re-coloring of N200, N500 and N1000 notes, was aimed at preventing the magnetization of the Electoral Process, irrespective of the hardship it will cause Nigerians who are not overtly involved in party politics.
In a press statement signed by Reuben Muoka, Director, Public Affairs and made available to newsmen, NCC states;
“Ignore fraudulent messages on Network shut down.
The attention of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has been drawn to fraudulent and misleading information circulating in some social media platforms, insinuating there is a planned shutdown of all telecom networks and relevant ICT Units, including online transfer facilities of the banks, with effect from today, February 23, 2023.
The Nigerian public, consumers of telecommunications services, and all bank customers are advised to ignore these or similar messages that insinuate deliberate network shutdown or disruption of services in the Nigerian telecom network.
These malicious and subversive messages originated and are being circulated by fraudsters and unscrupulous elements in the society with the intent to cause chaos and panic among the populace.
The Commission has received unequivocal assurances from all the service providers to the effect that all the network services are currently in optimal performance, and will not witness any deliberate shutdown or disruptions, especially at this very crucial period of general elections in the country.
Therefore, all users of telecommunications and banking services utilizing network facilities are assured of continued optimal service delivery before, during, and after the general elections in Nigeria.”
