DSS Demands Retraction, Apology from Sowore Over Comments on Tinubu
The Department of State Services (DSS) has formally demanded that activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, retract and apologize for a social media post it has described as “false, malicious, and criminal.” The post in question, targeting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was allegedly made on X (formerly Twitter) on August 26, 2025.
In a letter dated September 7, 2025, and signed by Uwem Davies on behalf of the DSS Director General, the security agency highlighted a specific post by Sowore, which reportedly stated: “This criminal actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”
The DSS asserted that Sowore’s comment was not only damaging to the President’s reputation but also had the potential to incite public disorder, disunity, and a breakdown of law and order. The agency further warned that such remarks could fuel insurrection and harm Nigeria’s international image.
The letter directs Sowore to take several actions:
Immediately retract the post on X with the same level of prominence.
Issue a public apology in at least two national newspapers and two television stations.
Make a formal representation at the DSS Headquarters in Abuja or via email within one week.
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The DSS emphasized that individuals seeking to lead the country “must be of high integrity and exercise restraint and responsibility in their speech and actions.” The agency warned that failure to comply with its demands would result in the DSS taking “all lawful measures” to address the matter.
Copies of the letter were also sent to the United States Embassy in Abuja.
Meanwhile, Swore had reported on his social media plaform on the demand to Twitter to deactivate his account.
The publisher of Sahara Reporters and activist Sowore claimed the secret police had formally requested that his X (formerly Twitter) account be deactivated within 24 hours.
Sowore, in his post described the alleged move as the “drowning Tinubu regime” exporting “national disgrace to Twitter.”
According to Sowore, the demand to X stems from his criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his governors. He stated, “This morning, I learned that the lawless @officialdssng wrote to X (formerly Twitter) demanding my account be deactivated within 24 hours simply for criticizing @officialasiwajubat and his corrupt, non-performing governors.”
Sowore went on to list a history of alleged harassment from the Nigerian government, including no-entry lists at airports, illegal arrests, passport seizures, armed attacks, and “fake charges of ‘terrorism financing.’” He accused the current administration of weaponizing state agencies like the police and DSS against him.
“Now they’ve exported their disgrace to the US,” Sowore said, adding that these tactics would ultimately “fall flat,” much like they did under the previous administration.
The statement ended with a defiant tone, with Sowore asserting, “With or without Twitter, with or without Facebook, in or out of jail the struggle continues.” He also questioned whether Nigerians would “continue to be held hostage by a tiny, wicked band of rogues.”
By PRNigeria
