On September 7, 2025, Abuja Nigeria, the Department of State Services (DSS) has escalated its battle against outspoken activist Omoyele Sowore by demanding the immediate deactivation of his verified X (formerly Twitter) account.
This latest move, officially communicated to Elon Musk’s X Corporation, stems from Sowore’s scathing criticism of President Bola Tinubu during the latter’s recent trip to Brazil.
Igniting a fierce debate on state censorship, freedom of speech, and the role of security agencies in Nigeria’s fragile democracy.
DSS Demands: Mute Sowore’s voice
In a formal letter dated September 6 and signed by B. Bamigboye on behalf of the DSS Director-General.
The agency accused Sowore of spreading “misleading information” with a “willful intention to further an ideology capable of serious harm.”
On August 25, Sowore tweeted calling President Tinubu a “criminal,” condemning his corruption claims.
The DSS condemned Sowore’s tweet as ridiculing the president internationally, warning it incites violence and threatens national security.
Failure by X to deactivate Sowore’s account within 24 hours will compel Nigeria to take sweeping, far-reaching, across-the-board measures.
The ultimatum’s seriousness highlights the government’s intolerance toward dissent, especially public challenges to the president.
Sowore’s Defiant Response: “A National Disgrace”
Unfazed by DSS, Sowore called the demand “a national disgrace” and “an assault on institutions and common sense.”
He alleged that the Tinubu administration was using the DSS and Nigeria Police Force as tools for persecution.
Highlighting his previous arbitrary arrests, travel restrictions, and a court declaration labeling him a “terrorism financier.”
Sowore’s defiance boldly challenges what critics call authoritarian overreach aimed at silencing dissenting voices.
“The struggle against these criminals continues ceaselessly with or without a Twitter account.”
He declared, signaling an unwavering commitment to resisting the government’s clampdown.
A Pattern of Repression: DSS vs. Sowore
This confrontation is not an isolated incident.
The relationship between Sowore and the DSS has been fraught and volatile for years.
In 2019, Sowore was arrested for organizing #RevolutionNow protests; detained without bail despite court orders.
The charges, including treason, were eventually dropped in 2023 under the Tinubu administration.
But the surveillance and harassment reportedly persist.
Critics contend the ongoing pressure against Sowore exemplifies the government’s broader strategy to stifle dissent through intimidation and legal harassment.
Undermining democratic freedoms under the guise of national security.
Legal Justifications or Political Witch-Hunt?
The DSS letter cites various laws, including Nigeria’s Cyber Crimes Act 2025.
The Criminal Code Act, and the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022.
Claiming Sowore’s tweet constitutes “domestic terrorism” due to its alleged potential to incite unrest and damage Nigeria’s image globally.
However, constitutional lawyers argue that such expansive interpretations dangerously trample on guaranteed rights to free speech and political expression.
This raises urgent questions about the weaponization of security laws to impose political censorship.
Eroding the delicate balance between safeguarding national security and protecting citizens’ constitutional freedoms.
Social Media Platforms Under Pressure
The ultimatum to Elon Musk’s X Corporation places social media giants at the center of Nigeria’s political censorship efforts.
The DSS’s threat to pursue “far-reaching measures” against X if it refuses to comply signifies government willingness to escalate digital repression tactics.
Possibly including blocking or limiting platform operations within Nigeria.
This recalls Nigeria’s 2021 indefinite Twitter ban after deleting Buhari’s tweets, widely condemned for suppressing free expression.
Nigeria’s leadership increasingly relies on aggressive online regulation, surveillance, and control of political narratives.
The Public Divide: Patriotism vs. Censorship
Many civil society groups, activists, and citizens see government actions as silencing criticism, not protecting cohesion.
Public opinion is sharply divided. Supporters of the president see Sowore’s posts as reckless provocations destabilizing Nigeria.
Conversely, critics argue that repression of dissenting voices only fuels grievances.
Undermines democratic values, and exacerbates political tensions rather than calming them.
Why This Matters: Democracy at a Crossroads
This latest DSS demand epitomizes the precarious state of Nigeria’s democracy in 2025.
Political leaders invoke national security to justify crackdowns on dissent, while activists confront state surveillance and threats to hold power accountable.
The case of Sowore is emblematic of a broader struggle over freedom, governance, and Nigeria’s future direction.
Whether civil liberties will survive this era of populist leadership and aggressive security responses remains uncertain.
The international community watches closely as Nigeria wrestles with these fundamental tensions.
As this clash unfolds, WahalaUpdate channels the pulse of Nigeria’s volatile political scene, spotlighting the fierce battle between state power and freedom of expression.
Stay tuned as we track Sowore’s fight and its implications for Nigeria’s democratic future.
