The drama between the Nigerian government, activist Omoyele Sowore, and social media giant X.com (formerly Twitter) just got intense.
On September 6, 2025, the Department of State Services (DSS) issued a strongly worded letter to the CEO of X.com in Texas, giving the platform just 24 hours to delete a controversial post made by Sowore about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
What Really Happened?
President Tinubu, while speaking in Brazil, reportedly claimed that corruption in Nigeria had ended under his government. The comment immediately stirred reactions back home, and Sowore didn’t hold back.
He fired off a tweet saying:
“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!”
That single post is now at the center of a heated face-off between the government and one of its most vocal critics.
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DSS Moves In
According to the DSS, Sowore’s tweet wasn’t just criticism—it was “misleading, inflammatory, and capable of inciting violence.”
In its letter, the agency accused Sowore of:
- Spreading false information (Criminal Code Act, Section 51)
- Violating the Cybercrime Act 2025 (hate speech, harassment, misleading content)
- Breaching the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022
The DSS also warned that both Sowore and X.com itself could be held criminally liable if the tweet remains online.
The Ultimatum
The message to X.com was crystal clear: take down Sowore’s tweet and every retweet linked to it—or face the consequences.
The DSS letter stated that the tweet was not only an insult to President Tinubu but also a potential trigger for “nationwide chaos” and an embarrassment to Nigeria on the international stage.
What’s Next?
As of now, X.com hasn’t responded to the Nigerian government’s demands. It remains to be seen whether the platform will comply or stand its ground in the name of free speech.
One thing is certain—this clash highlights the growing tension between government authorities and online freedom of expression in Nigeria.