ABUJA — The Department of State Services (DSS) has summoned human rights activist and politician Omoyele Sowore over what it described as a “false and malicious” social media post directed at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a letter dated September 7, 2025, signed by Uwem Davies on behalf of the Director-General of the DSS, Sowore was asked to retract his August 26 post on X (formerly Twitter) where he referred to the President as a “criminal” while mocking his anti-corruption remarks in Brazil.
The DSS described the post as “repugnant, derogatory and capable of inciting public disturbance,” demanding that Sowore issue an unequivocal retraction on X, publish apologies in at least two national newspapers and two television stations, and also make a formal representation at DSS headquarters in Abuja or via email.
The agency said it had also notified the United States Embassy in Abuja of the development, warning that Sowore’s comments could “trigger disunity, insurrection, or a breakdown of law and order.”
“Persons of your status who are campaigning to lead this country must exercise restraint and responsibility in their speech,” the Service warned, adding that it would “explore all lawful means” to counter false propaganda against the state.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has given X Corp. a 24-hour ultimatum to take down Sowore’s tweet. In a separate letter signed by B. Bamigboye for the DSS Director-General, the Service argued that the post was capable of ridiculing Nigeria internationally, embarrassing the President, and threatening national security.
Responding on Sunday, Sowore revealed that X had contacted him about the DSS request. He vowed not to delete the post, describing the DSS letter as “despicable.”
“This morning, X officially contacted me about the despicable threat letter they received from the lawless DSS over my Tweet on Tinubu. One option I will NOT be taking is deleting that Tweet. Thank you, @X,” Sowore wrote.
X, in its notification to Sowore, confirmed receiving a legal request from the Nigerian secret police but clarified that no action had been taken on the content. The platform explained that, in line with its policy, it informs users whenever governments request takedowns, regardless of whether the user lives in that country.
Rights groups and opposition figures have accused Nigerian authorities of increasingly clamping down on free expression under Tinubu’s administration. This latest standoff recalls Nigeria’s 2021 ban on Twitter (now X) under then-President Muhammadu Buhari after the platform deleted one of his tweets
