The Department of State Services (DSS) has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to X Corp., the operators of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), demanding the deactivation of activist Omoyele Sowore’s verified account @YeleSowore following a controversial post targeting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a letter dated Saturday, September 6, 2025, and addressed to the Chairman and CEO of X Corp. in Texas, USA, the DSS accused Sowore of publishing “false, dangerous, and inciting” information capable of provoking unrest and threatening Nigeria’s national security.
The petition, signed by B. Bamigboye for the Director-General of DSS, referenced a tweet Sowore posted on August 25, 2025, at 11:38 p.m. WAT, in which he wrote:
“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 post, which directly referenced the President’s official X handle @officialABAT, was not only disparaging but also capable of triggering violent reactions from supporters.
The letter read:
“The said tweet is still in circulation and has attracted widespread condemnation by majority of Nigerians, some of whom may resort to unwholesome activities to vent their grievance over it, especially supporters of the President who have started taking to the streets in protest, thereby creating political tension and threatening the country’s national security.”
According to the agency, Sowore’s comments violated several Nigerian laws, including Section 51 of the Criminal Code Act, Sections 19, 22, and 24 of the Cyber Crimes Act 2025, and Section 2(3) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“The author and purveyor of the inflammatory online publication against Mr. President is very much aware that the publication is prohibited… It is misleading information, online harassment and abuse, with the willful intention of furthering an ideology capable of serious harm,” the DSS stated.
The secret police insisted that X Corp. must immediately take down the tweet and deactivate Sowore’s account or face consequences.
“This demand is unequivocal with its attendant consequence. Should you fail, neglect and refuse to comply… the Federal Government will be compelled to take far-reaching, sweeping and across-the-board measures through our Organization, whose mandate covers such criminal acts,” the letter warned.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate and publisher of Sahara Reporters, has long been a fierce critic of the Nigerian government.
As of the time of filing this report, the tweet remained active, while neither Sowore nor X Corp. had issued a response to the DSS ultimatum.
“This Sowore is becoming excessive; I believe this action will serve as a warning to others who may be seeking cheap popularity.”