DSS Gives X 24 Hours to Delete Sowore’s Post calling Tinubu ‘Criminal’

The Department of State Services (DSS) has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to delete a post by activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore, citing national security risks and violations of Nigerian law.

In a letter addressed to the Chairman and CEO of X Corp., shared online by DSS Director-General B. Bamigboye, the agency stated that Sowore’s post — published on August 25, 2025, at 23:38 WAT via his verified handle @YeleSowore — disparaged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The tweet 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 claims the tweet amounts to misleading information, online harassment, and hate speech, alleging it has incited unrest among Tinubu’s supporters and tarnished Nigeria’s image globally.

According to the agency, Sowore’s post violates Section 51 of the Criminal Code Act Cap.77, which prohibits spreading false information, and Sections 19, 22, and 24 of the Cyber Crimes Act 2025, which criminalise offensive or deceptive online content.

Additionally, the DSS cites the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, alleging the post borders on domestic terrorism and warns that X Corp. could also be held criminally liable if it fails to act.

The government’s letter gave X a 24-hour deadline to delete the tweet and its retweets, cautioning that failure to comply could trigger “far-reaching, sweeping and across-the-board measures” to protect national security.

Sowore Reacts

In response, Sowore declared he would not delete his tweet about Tinubu despite the DSS demand.

Posting on Sunday, Sowore wrote: “This morning, X officially contacted me about the despicable threat letter they received from the DSS over my tweet on Tinubu. One option I will not be taking is deleting that tweet. Thank you, X.”

A notice from X, shared by Sowore, confirmed that the DSS had requested the deletion of the tweet and deactivation of Sowore’s account within 24 hours, or face possible government action.

However, X Corp. stated it had not taken any action on the content and reaffirmed its policy of defending user rights.

“As X strongly believes in defending and respecting the voice of our users, it is our policy to notify our users if we receive a legal request from an authorized entity to remove content,” the platform explained.

X further advised Sowore to seek legal counsel, contact civil society groups, or explore other avenues to challenge the request if he chooses not to comply.