The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has faulted the Department of State Services (DSS) for asking X (formerly Twitter) to deactivate a post by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, warning that the move threatens freedom of expression in Nigeria.
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In a statement on Sunday, SERAP said the DSS’s action is a replay of the Twitter suspension under former President Muhammadu Buhari and vowed to take legal action if the demand is not withdrawn.
LIST OF APPLICATIONS FOR REGULARISATION OF AREA COUNCIL LAND DOCUMENTS NULLIFIED/CANCELLED BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FCT
“President Tinubu should direct the DSS to immediately withdraw the implied threat to ban X in Nigeria over a tweet by journalist Omoyele Sowore,” the group said, stressing that any such ban would amount to “collective punishment” and violate the rights of millions of Nigerians.
LIST OF APPLICATIONS FOR REGULARISATION OF AREA COUNCIL LAND DOCUMENTS NULLIFIED/CANCELLED BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FCT
SERAP reminded the government that the ECOWAS Court of Justice had previously ruled that access to Twitter is a fundamental human right, while Nigeria’s Constitution and international treaties also guarantee freedom of expression and access to information.
The group added that any restriction of speech must meet the strict conditions of legality, necessity, proportionality and legitimacy, noting that public figures, including the president, are legitimately subject to criticism.
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The warning follows a letter the DSS sent to X Corp on September 6, 2025, requesting the suspension of Sowore’s account over a post it said was a threat to national security.
Sowore, through his handle @YeleSowore, had accused President Bola Tinubu of lying during a trip to Brazil when he claimed corruption no longer existed under his administration. The DSS described the post as “hate speech, cybercrime and incitement to violence,” insisting it could provoke unrest among Nigerians.
The agency argued that the comment violated provisions of the Criminal Code, the Cyber Crimes Act 2025 and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, saying Sowore’s words were capable of causing disunity and damaging Nigeria’s image.
It demanded that X delete the post and deactivate his account, warning that both Sowore and the platform could be held criminally liable under Nigerian law.
But Sowore has rejected the demand and vowed not to take down the tweet.
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