Social media giant X (formerly Twitter) has confirmed receiving a formal request from Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) to delete a post by activist Omoyele Sowore that criticized President Bola Tinubu. The platform, however, said it has taken no action on the complaint.
In a notice sent to Sowore and shared publicly on Sunday morning, X said the DSS alleged his content violated Nigerian law. The company stressed that while it routinely informs users about government takedown requests, it had “not taken any action on the reported content at this time.”
“One option I will NOT be taking is deleting that Tweet,” Sowore declared in response, describing the DSS letter as a “despicable threat” and the agency itself as “lawless.”
X’s Transparency Policy
The platform explained its approach: “As X strongly believes in defending and respecting the voice of our users, it is our policy to notify users if we receive a legal request from an authorized entity to remove content. We provide notice whether or not the user lives in the country where the request originated.”
X also directed Sowore to its transparency reports and legal FAQs, encouraging him to consult legal counsel or civil society groups if he wished to challenge the request.
Escalating Tensions
The development marks a rare public clash between Nigeria’s security services and a global social media company. It follows Sowore’s earlier claims that the DSS and police have repeatedly harassed him through arrests, court cases, and smear campaigns.
With X refusing to immediately bow to government pressure, the dispute could sharpen international scrutiny on Nigeria’s handling of free expression.
For Sowore, the message is clear: “The struggle continues whether with or without a Twitter account.”
