Why Nigerian Security Agency Threatens X Over Sowore’s Tweet on Tinubu

Nigeria’s SSS threatens X over Sowore’s tweet on Tinubu, citing incitement and hate speech, as Sowore vows defiance.

Nigeria’s State Security Service (SSS), also known as the Department of State Services (DSS), has issued a stern warning to X Corp (formerly Twitter), demanding the deletion of a tweet by activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore.

The controversial post, made on August 25, 2025, criticised President Bola Tinubu’s remarks during an official visit to Brazil. Sowore alleged that Tinubu falsely declared an end to corruption in Nigeria, describing him as a “criminal” who “shamelessly lied.”

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The SSS, in a letter shared on its official X handle on September 7, 2025, accused Sowore of spreading “misleading information, hate speech, and incitement to violence.” The agency claimed the tweet had triggered protests by Tinubu’s supporters, creating political tension across the country.

SSS Threatens Consequences for X

The security agency ordered X Corp to delete the post and deactivate Sowore’s account within 24 hours or face what it described as “far-reaching measures.” It further warned that the platform itself could be held complicit under Nigerian law if it failed to act.

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Citing Section 51 of the Criminal Code Act, the Cybercrimes Act 2025, and the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022, the SSS argued that Sowore’s comments amounted to criminal offences capable of undermining national unity.

Rights groups, however, have long criticised these laws as tools for silencing dissent and stifling free speech in Nigeria.

Sowore Fires Back

Reacting to the development, Sowore dismissed the SSS’s action as “a national disgrace” and part of a wider campaign of political persecution. He accused the agency of sponsoring fake protests and using security operatives to intimidate him.

“I won’t delete the tweet,” Sowore declared, vowing to continue his activism against corruption and authoritarianism. He recounted previous harassment, including being placed on a no-entry list, having his passport seized, and being rearrested on multiple occasions.

He also revealed that X Corp officially notified him about the Nigerian government’s complaint but confirmed that the company had not taken any action against his account. X stated that it remains committed to protecting user voices and transparency in handling government requests.

What Next?

As of Sunday, X Corp had yet to issue a public response to the Nigerian government’s letter. The standoff raises questions about free speech, government control, and the power of social media in Nigeria’s political landscape.