DSS urges X to take down Sowore’s tweet criticizing President Tinubu

The Department of State Services (DSS) has formally petitioned X Corp., requesting the removal of a post by activist and politician Omoyele Sowore that criticized President Bola Tinubu. The agency described the publication as false, offensive, and a risk to Nigeria’s stability.

On August 25, Sowore, using his verified handle @YeleSowore, uploaded a clip of President Tinubu during an official trip to Brazil. In his caption, he rebuked Tinubu’s declaration that corruption was no longer an issue in Nigeria, calling the remark a “shameless lie.”

In a letter dated September 6, signed by B. Bamigboye on behalf of the DSS Director-General, the agency accused Sowore of deliberately spreading disinformation and engaging in online harassment. The DSS said the content was aimed directly at the President, who maintains an active account under the username @officialABAT.

The agency warned that such publications could inflame public emotions, especially among Tinubu’s supporters, and may trigger protests or other disruptive activities. It further argued that the post tarnished the image of both the President and Nigeria in the international community.

The DSS maintained that the tweet violated provisions of the Criminal Code Act, the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2025, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022. According to the agency, the comments qualified as “misleading information, online harassment, hate speech, and a deliberate attempt to undermine national unity.”

The security service therefore gave X Corp. 24 hours to delete the post and all associated re-shares. The letter warned that failure to comply could force the Federal Government to take “far-reaching and comprehensive measures” against the platform.

This is not the first time Nigeria has clashed with the social media company. In June 2021, the administration of then-President Muhammadu Buhari suspended X (formerly Twitter) after the platform deleted one of his tweets. That suspension lasted until January 2022, when the ban was lifted.