Sowore Defies DSS Crackdown, Vows to Continue Criticism of Nigerian Government

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has vowed to persist in his criticism of the Nigerian government, despite what he describes as renewed efforts by security agencies to silence him through social media censorship.

In a statement posted on Sunday via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Omoyele Sowore alleged that the Department of State Services (DSS) has written to the management of X.com, demanding the deactivation of his account within 24 hours.

He linked the move to a recent protest at the Federal High Court and the Ministry of Justice, where a group of pro-government demonstrators reportedly called for his arrest.

Describing the DSS’s action as “unconstitutional” and a “desecration of national dignity,” Sowore accused the Nigerian security apparatus of sustained harassment, including unlawful arrests, confiscation of his passport, and politically motivated charges.

He further alleged that he was recently assaulted by armed police officers and falsely accused by the federal government in court of financing terrorism.

Sowore claimed that the DSS’s attempt to pressure foreign tech companies to suspend his account was a deliberate effort to “export national disgrace to the US.”

Undeterred, he insisted that no amount of intimidation would stop his activism.

“The struggle against these criminals continues ceaselessly — with or without a Twitter account, with or without Facebook, and whether I am in jail or outside of it. The struggle continues,” he declared.

The development follows increasing tension between the federal government and vocal opposition figures online, raising concerns among civil society groups over shrinking civic space and digital rights in Nigeria.