DSS Gives Sowore One Week to Retract ‘False, Malicious’ Post Against Tinubu‎

DSS Gives Sowore One Week to Retract ‘False, Malicious’ Post Against Tinubu‎

By Abiola Adigun

The Department of State Services (DSS) has issued a one-week ultimatum to activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, to retract what it described as a “false and malicious” social media post against President Bola Tinubu.
In a letter dated September 7 and signed by Uwem Davies on behalf of Adeola Ajayi, director-general of the DSS, the secret police accused Sowore of referring to Tinubu as a “criminal” in an August 26 post on X, formerly known as Twitter, where he mocked the president’s comments on corruption during his recent trip to Brazil.
The DSS maintained that Sowore’s remarks were “repugnant, derogatory and capable of inciting public disturbance,” directing him to issue a retraction with equal prominence on X, publish apologies in at least two national newspapers and two television stations, and submit a formal representation to its Abuja headquarters or via email. The letter was also copied to the United States embassy in Abuja.
“These statements are, to say the least, capable of causing insurrection, as they are odious, repugnant, derogatory and
uncomplimentary towards a person occupying the highest office of this country,” the agency said, stressing that persons aspiring to leadership must exercise restraint and responsibility in their public utterances.
The DSS further warned that it would “explore all lawful means” to counter misinformation that could undermine Nigeria’s unity, citing its constitutional mandate to protect national security.
This development comes days after the DSS wrote to X Corp. in the United States, demanding the deactivation of Sowore’s verified account over the same post, which it said could mislead the public and destabilize the country.
In a swift response on X, Sowore rejected the directive.
“Even if you @OfficialDSSNG give me till the end of Tinubu’s tenure in 2027, I will NOT withdraw my statement (for I believe his tenure shall not go beyond on or before 2027),” he wrote.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate under the African Action Congress (AAC), has been a long-standing critic of successive Nigerian governments. His latest confrontation with the DSS adds to the growing tension between the state security service and opposition figures who accuse the government of intolerance to dissent.
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