FG Gives X.com 24-Hour Ultimatum to Remove Sowore’s Anti-Tinubu Tweet

The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to social media platform X.com (formerly Twitter), demanding the removal of a tweet by political activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, which it described as offensive and a threat to national security.

The controversial tweet, posted by Sowore, criticized President Bola Tinubu over a recent statement made during his official visit to Brazil. In the post, Sowore 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!”

In a formal letter dated September 6, 2025, and addressed to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of X.com in Bastrop County, Texas, USA, the Department of State Services (DSS) alleged that the tweet was misleading, inflammatory, and aimed at inciting unrest. The letter was signed by Mr. B. Bamigboye on behalf of the Director General of the DSS.

According to the letter, the government considers the post a violation of multiple Nigerian laws, including:

• Section 51 of the Criminal Code Act (Cap 77), which prohibits false publications.

• Sections 19, 22, and 24 of the Cybercrime Act 2025, which criminalize the spread of fake or offensive content online.

• Section 2 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, which prohibits statements capable of inciting hatred or violence.

The DSS argued that Sowore’s post was not only defamatory to President Tinubu but also capable of causing “nationwide chaos,” promoting hate speech, and damaging Nigeria’s international reputation.

“It is not in doubt that the words employed by Mr. Omoyele Sowore constitute misleading information, online harassment, and abuse, with willful intent to further an ideology capable of serious harm,” the DSS stated.

The security agency insisted that both the author and the platform through which the content was disseminated could be held criminally liable, and warned that failure to comply with the takedown request would result in “far-reaching, sweeping measures.”

“This demand is unequivocal, with its attendant consequences. Should you fail, neglect, or refuse to comply with the command in this notice, the Federal Government of Nigeria will be compelled to take far-reaching and sweeping measures through our organization,” the letter added.

At the time of this report, it remains unclear whether X.com has responded to the Nigerian government’s demand.