The Federal Government of Nigeria has petitioned X Corp., owners of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), demanding the urgent suspension and deactivation of the verified account of activist and politician Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore).
In a letter dated September 6, 2025, and addressed to the Chairman and CEO of X Corp. in Bastrop County, Texas, the government accused Sowore of publishing a misleading and inciting post on August 25, 2025, targeting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The controversial post, which was made at 11:38 pm local time, read:”This criminal @officialABAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE corruption under his regime in Nigeria.
What audacity to lie shamelessly!”According to the government, the post amounted to hate speech, cybercrime, and an attempt to disparage the President before the international community.
Authorities warned that the statement has already triggered protests among Tinubu’s supporters, heightening political tension and posing a threat to national security.
Citing provisions of the Nigerian Criminal Code, the Cybercrimes Act 2025, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, the government argued that Sowore’s comments constitute offences punishable under Nigerian law.
The petition also stressed that X Corp. could be held liable for allowing its platform to be used for what it described as “false, offensive, and dangerous” content.
The government urged X Corp. to take immediate action by banning Sowore’s account to forestall further unrest.
As of press time, neither Omoyele Sowore nor X Corp. has officially responded to the petition.
