Nigerian Government Issues 24-Hour Ultimatum To X.com Over Sowore’s Anti-Tinubu Tweet That Sparks Controversy

 

The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially ordered X.com, formerly known as Twitter, to remove a controversial post made by activist and politician Omoyele Sowore within 24 hours. Sowore’s post targeted President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of lying during his visit to Brazil when he declared that corruption in Nigeria had been eradicated under his administration.

Sowore wrote in his post: “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 Department of State Services (DSS), in a letter dated September 6, 2025, signed on behalf of the Director General by Mr. B Bamigboye, described Sowore’s words as inflammatory and potentially dangerous. The agency insisted that the tweet was misleading, targeted at discrediting the Nigerian president, and could incite violence, foster hate, and create instability within the country.

The letter was addressed directly to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of X.com in Bastrop County, Texas, USA. The DSS stated that the platform had a duty to act swiftly, considering the potential consequences of allowing the post to remain accessible to millions of users worldwide.

According to the DSS, Sowore’s statement did not only disparage President Tinubu but also projected Nigeria negatively before the international community. The service further warned that the controversial tweet could foster disunity, damage the nation’s reputation, and provoke unrest.

The letter cited several legal provisions which, it claimed, the activist’s post had violated. Among them was Section 51 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap 77, which criminalizes the publication of false information. It also referenced Sections 19, 22, and 24 of the Cybercrime Act 2025, which prohibit the distribution of deceptive, offensive, or harmful online content, including fake news.

Furthermore, the DSS highlighted Section 2 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022, arguing that Sowore’s statement qualified as a prohibited act because of its potential to incite hatred, propagate harmful ideologies, and threaten national peace.

The letter stressed that responsibility did not only lie with Sowore but also with X.com as the medium through which the alleged offensive content was distributed. “The author and purveyor of the inflammatory online publication against Mr. President is very much aware that the publication is prohibited by law. The medium that spreads such content cannot be exonerated from culpability,” the DSS stated.

The security agency emphasized that Sowore’s post amounted to online harassment, abuse, and deliberate misinformation. It accused the activist of attempting to undermine national unity and embarrass the president on the global stage.

A stern warning was issued to X.com, instructing the company to comply with the 24-hour deadline or risk facing what the DSS described as “far-reaching, sweeping, and across-the-board measures.” The details of such measures were not disclosed, but the tone of the letter indicated that failure to comply would trigger significant consequences for the company’s operations in Nigeria.

The DSS noted that 24 hours was sufficient time for X.com to remove the tweet along with any reposts or retweets. It urged the company to act in line with its own internal policies on offensive and harmful content, reminding the platform of its obligation to cooperate with governments in matters of national security.

The Nigerian government’s directive has raised questions among observers about the balance between free expression and national security. Sowore, known for his critical stance against successive governments in Nigeria, has long been a thorn in the side of political authorities. His latest clash with the state adds to his history of confrontations with law enforcement and security agencies.

Critics fear that this latest move could set a precedent for the suppression of dissenting voices online. They argue that while misinformation is dangerous, using national security laws to silence political opposition may undermine democratic principles and restrict civic freedoms.

At the time of reporting, it remains unclear whether X.com has responded to the government’s demand or whether the post has been taken down. The platform, which has often found itself at the center of global debates on censorship and free speech, now faces a fresh test in its relationship with Nigeria.

The outcome of this ultimatum may shape the dynamics between social media platforms and the Nigerian government going forward. Observers are closely monitoring whether X.com will prioritize compliance with local laws or uphold the principles of free expression, even in politically sensitive cases.

For many Nigerians, the episode once again highlights the tense relationship between political authority, freedom of speech, and the power of digital platforms in shaping national discourse.