Daniel Otera
The Department of State Services (DSS) has ignited a fierce debate on free speech in Nigeria after demanding the removal of a post by activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore from the social media platform X. The post, which sharply criticised President Bola Tinubu, has drawn significant attention, raising questions about the balance between national security and the right to free expression in Africa’s most populous nation.
On 25 August 2025, Sowore, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), posted on his verified X handle, @YeleSowore, targeting President Tinubu’s claim during a state visit to Brazil that corruption had been eradicated under his administration. Sowore’s post 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 post, which included a video clip of Tinubu’s remarks, quickly gained traction, sparking both support and condemnation across Nigeria’s vibrant online community.
The DSS, in a letter dated 6 September 2025 and signed by B. Bamigboye on behalf of the Director-General, petitioned X Corp., the platform’s parent company, to deactivate Sowore’s account or remove the post within 24 hours. The agency argued that the post violated several Nigerian laws, including Section 51 of the Criminal Code Act, which prohibits the publication of false information likely to disturb public peace, and Sections 19, 22, and 24 of the Cyber Crimes Act 2025, which criminalise spreading fake news, harassment, and offensive content. Additionally, the DSS cited Section 2(3) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, claiming the post constituted “domestic terrorism” by inciting unrest and damaging Nigeria’s international reputation. “It is not in doubt that the words employed by Mr. Omoyele Sowore are misleading information, online harassment and abuse, willful intention of furthering an ideology capable of serious harm, hate speech, [and] cause disunity,” the DSS stated in its letter.
The agency further warned that the post had triggered protests by Tinubu’s supporters, creating “political tension” and posing a “serious threat to national security.” It claimed that failure to comply could lead to “far-reaching, sweeping and across-the-board measures” against X Corp., holding both Sowore and the platform criminally liable.
Sowore, a seasoned activist and founder of Sahara Reporters, swiftly rebuffed the DSS’s demand. On 7 September 2025, he confirmed that X had notified him of the agency’s request, describing it as a “despicable threat letter” and an “assault on institutions and common sense.” In a defiant post, he declared, “One option I will NOT be taking is deleting that Tweet. Thank you, @X.” Sowore framed the DSS’s action as part of a broader campaign of persecution, citing his arrest during the #EndBadGovernance protests in 2024, a travel ban imposed by the Nigerian Immigration Service, and the seizure of his passport in February 2025. He also alleged physical assault by police officers during a recent detention, accusing the authorities of fabricating charges, including terrorism financing, to silence him.
X, in response, informed Sowore that it had received the DSS’s legal request but had not acted on it. The platform stated, “We understand that receiving this type of notice can be an unsettling experience,” and advised Sowore to seek legal counsel while affirming its commitment to transparency and protecting user voices.
The clash has reignited concerns about freedom of expression in Nigeria, where the government has faced accusations of stifling dissent. According to the 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, Nigeria ranks 124th out of 180 countries, a decline from 120th in 2019, reflecting growing restrictions on media and activism. Between 2015 and 2025, at least 47 journalists and activists were arrested or detained for criticising the government, with 12 cases linked to social media posts, according to data from the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Sowore’s history of confrontations with Nigerian authorities adds context to the current standoff. In 2019, he was arrested on charges of treason, money laundering, and cyberstalking after calling for a “Revolution Now” protest against the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. His detention sparked international outcry, with Amnesty International condemning it as a “blatant miscarriage of justice” and a sign of Nigeria’s shrinking civic space.
Sowore’s legal team, led by Tope Temokun, has vowed to challenge the DSS’s latest move, calling it “illegal and unconstitutional.”
Temokun argued, “The secret police have no constitutional or statutory power to censor citizens or influence private platforms to do so.” He warned that allowing such actions could set a dangerous precedent for all Nigerians, stating, “Today it is Sowore; tomorrow it could be any journalist, activist, or even an ordinary citizen who dares to question the government.”
Public reaction has been polarised. While some Nigerians, particularly Tinubu’s supporters, have condemned Sowore’s language as disrespectful, others view the DSS’s response as an overreach. Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju described the agency’s actions as “an attack on the very freedoms that sustain a healthy democracy,” emphasising that freedom of expression is a constitutional right under Section 39 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution. On X, sentiments echoed this divide. One user, @ennyola0015, posted,
“The DSS is displaying pure cowardice. If Sowore’s post is incriminating, drag him to court. That’s your constitutional duty.”
The controversy comes amid heightened scrutiny of Nigeria’s governance. Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index ranked Nigeria 145th out of 180 countries, with a score of 25 out of 100, indicating persistent challenges in tackling corruption. Tinubu’s claim in Brazil that his reforms had “sounded the death knell on corruption” drew scepticism, with Sowore’s post amplifying public frustration. A 2025 Afrobarometer survey found that 67% of Nigerians believe corruption has worsened since 2023, underscoring the sensitivity of the issue.
As the 24-hour ultimatum issued by the DSS has lapsed, the focus now shifts to X’s next steps and whether the Nigerian government will escalate its response. The incident underscores the ongoing tension between state authority and individual rights in Nigeria, a nation where 63% of the population of approximately 143 million people uses social media, according to Statista’s 2025 report. With platforms like X serving as critical spaces for public discourse, the outcome of this dispute could shape the future of online expression in Nigeria’s democracy.
“The struggle against these criminals continues ceaselessly with or without a Twitter account,” Sowore declared, signalling that the battle for free speech in Nigeria is far from over.