Some Nigerians on Twitter are negotiating with the companies new owner, Elon Musk for a lower verification charge.
The Twitter chief executive officer had on Tuesday announced that verified users of the micro-blogging app will, going forward, pay a monthly fee of $8.
Musk who is also the founder of Tesla Inc., had said the new pricing system would be adjusted by country “proportionate to purchasing power parity”.
The announcement was however met with with an outcry by users across the world, who asked him to reconsider the decision.
Responding to the critics, Musk tweeted: “To all complainers, please continue complaining, but it will cost $8.
“Totally stole idea of charging for insults & arguments from Monty Python tbh.”
However, some Nigerian users are negotiating a lower charge with the billionaire.
In a response to Musk, one tweep, Dr Dipo Awojide, tweeting from his verified handle @OgbeniDipo, wrote “Cost of living crisis in the UK is really bad, Elon. Let me pay $3.50.
Another tweep, Adewale Adetona, @Slimfit, wrote: “Elon, I know you’re a man of the people and also reckon with the fact that you want to open up a new revenue stream for Twitter, but let’s close this thing at $4.99 per month. Thanks!”
In a tweet, @MaturedMind007 wrote: “Paying $8 every month won’t be acceptable here in my country(Nigeria). We have a lot of bills that money we pay off here. We are not as rich you guys staying uptown. Kindly look into it here or better still leave it the way it’s was before you own it. Thanks.”
Another popular tweep, JJ.Omojuwa, @Omojuwa, however, said: “I already pay $3 for Twitter Blue. If $8 means more value, let’s do it! Can’t be for staying verified – that’s where his messaging missed it – it’s hard to pay monthly for what’s been free for me for over 7 years, whether it’s a dime or a dollar.”
Another tweet, Rinu Oduala @SavvyRinu replied Musk “Oga, for Nigeria, we no give shishi.”
A Nigerian tweeting from the handle @vincentadeoba called Musk and his team out for wanting to rip people off after failing to negotiate a good deal.
“@elonmusk people using Twitter for good shouldn’t pay for your inability to negotiate a better deal for your acquisition of Twitter. Maybe you and your team should have done a better due diligence for the deal instead of having to charge $8 for the tick.”
