Nigeria Demands X Remove journalist Omoyele Sowore From platform
Nigeria’s Department of State Service (DSS) has formally requested that social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, remove journalist and activist Omoyele Sowore from its platform. The request, delivered in a letter to the Texas-based company, centers on concerns that Sowore’s online activity damages Nigeria’s image and promotes a negative perception of the country.
Did you know? – the DSS, Nigeria’s primary domestic intelligence agency, cited Sowore’s online posts as damaging to the country’s image. The agency believes his actions threaten national security, leading to the demand for his removal from X.
According to a statement released by the DSS, the contested post continues to circulate and has drawn significant criticism from a majority of Nigerians. A senior official stated that the agency believes Sowore’s actions pose a threat to national security. The DSS, in its letter signed by B. Bamigboye on behalf of Director General Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, alleges that Sowore’s post violates sections of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.
The agency further contends that the publication of the post has incited unrest, with supporters of the president reportedly taking to the streets in protest, creating political tension and jeopardizing national stability. The DSS asserts that the author is fully aware that the publication is prohibited under Section 2(3) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and other relevant Nigerian laws.
Reader question: – What specific content in Sowore’s post prompted the DSS’s action? What are the implications of the Terrorism Act being invoked in this case? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Who is Omoyele sowore?
Omoyele Sowore is a well-known journalist, human rights activist, and former presidential candidate in Nigeria. He has faced numerous arrests and periods of detention over the years for his activism. Sowore is the leader of the RevolutionNow movement in Nigeria and the publisher of the Sahara Reporters news platform.
His history with the Nigerian government includes a period of detention lasting over three months, followed by a release on December 5, 2019, only to be re-arrested inside the courthouse less than 12 hours later. On December 13,2019,the Attorney General of Nigeria and Minister of Justice,Abubakar Malami,took over the case from the DSS.
The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between the Nigerian government and critical voices operating in the digital space. The DSS’s request to X raises questions about the balance between national security concerns,freedom of expression,and the role of social media platforms in regulating content.
Pro tip: – This situation underscores the importance of media literacy. It’s crucial to critically evaluate details, especially when it involves government actions and freedom of speech. Consider multiple sources.
