Sowore Defies DSS Order, Refuses to Delete Anti-Tinubu Tweet

By Diafa Doubra,

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has openly defied the Department of State Services (DSS) after the agency reportedly demanded that he delete a social media post critical of President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Sowore disclosed that the platform had notified him of a legal request from the DSS seeking the removal of his tweet. The post in question, made on August 25, described President Tinubu’s claim during a visit to Brazil—that corruption no longer exists under his government as “a shameless lie.”

The DSS, in its letter to X, described Sowore’s remark as “disparaging” and capable of inciting public unrest, citing sections of the Cyber Crimes Act, the Criminal Code, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act. The agency reportedly gave the platform 24 hours to take down the post or face “sweeping measures.”

However, Sowore insisted he would not comply, calling the demand a “despicable threat.” He wrote: “One option I will NOT be taking is deleting that tweet. Thank you, @X.”

The activist’s defiance adds to his long-standing confrontation with state authorities, reinforcing his reputation as a vocal critic of successive Nigerian governments.