DSS orders X to delete Sowore’s post on Tinubu

The Department of State Services (DSS) has asked X (formerly Twitter) to remove a post made by activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore, saying it poses a threat to national security and breaks Nigerian laws.

In a letter sent to the CEO of X Corp. on Saturday, DSS Director-General B. Bamigboye said Sowore’s post insulted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The tweet, posted on 25 August 2025 from Sowore’s verified account @YeleSowore, read:

“This criminal @officialABAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”

The DSS said the tweet was misleading, insulting, and could cause unrest among Tinubu’s supporters. The agency also claimed the post harms Nigeria’s image abroad.

According to the letter, Sowore’s post breaks several laws, including:

• Section 51 of the Criminal Code Act – which bans spreading false information.
• Sections 19, 22, and 24 of the Cyber Crimes Act 2025 – which criminalise offensive or misleading online content.
• Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 – which the DSS says makes the tweet similar to “domestic terrorism.”

The government gave X Corp. 24 hours to delete the tweet and all retweets. The DSS warned that if X fails to act, Nigerian authorities may take “serious and sweeping” measures against the platform.

This case shows the growing clash between the government and online activists over freedom of speech, accountability, and the role of social media in Nigeria.

Sowore has often used his online accounts to criticise government actions, raising debate about the thin line between free political commentary and breaking the law.