Human Rights organisation, Amnesty International on Sunday knocked the Department of State Services over a letter written to X (formerly Twitter) as regards an anti-Tinubu post published by Omoyele Sowore via his personal X handle.
Sowore, who ran for president under the African Action Congress in 2023, reportedly received a formal notification from X that the DSS had requested the deletion of a tweet critical of President Bola Tinubu.
The DSS in confirmation also posted the letter it addressed to X via its official page on Sunday evening.
Condemning the action of the DSS on its X handle, Amnesty International urged the DSS to immediately withdraw its shocking demand to X ( formerly known as Twitter).
In the statement, AI noted that the Nigerian authorities’ demand for the deactivation of Sowore’s X account goes too far, and is outrageous, while clearly showing a desperate attempt at censorship and abuse of power.
“The DSS targeting of Sowore’s X account is being done without any legal justification, as recognised under international human rights law and this represents a violation of Nigeria’s obligations under the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Nigeria has ratified both human rights treaties.
“Nigerian authorities must refrain from violating human rights online including the rights to freedom of expression and privacy and fulfil their constitutional and international human rights obligations.
“On its part, X must not yield to censorship demands of the Nigerian government, through targeting the voices of activists, and must do all in its power to protect freedom of expression on its platform.”
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]
