DSS Gives Sowore One Week to Retract “False and Malicious” Post on Tinubu

• The DSS has given activist Omoyele Sowore one week to withdraw his post on X describing President Tinubu as a “criminal.”

• In a letter, the agency said the remarks were “false, malicious, and inciting,” warning that failure to retract and issue public apologies in newspapers and TV stations would lead to further action.

• The DSS also copied the U.S. Embassy, stressing that Sowore must show restraint and responsibility as a political figure.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has issued activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore a one-week ultimatum to retract a social media post it described as “false, malicious, and inciting” against President Bola Tinubu.

In a letter dated September 7, 2025, signed by Director of Legal Services, Uwem Davies, the DSS accused Sowore of making “criminal and derogatory” remarks in an August 26 post on X, where he called Tinubu a “criminal” and accused him of lying that corruption no longer existed.

The DSS said the remarks had sparked anger and could “incite public disturbance, disunity, and even insurrection.” It added: “Your choice of words in the description of the President are false, malicious, and capable of inciting public disturbance, disunity, and breakdown of law and order. 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 directed Sowore to “make an immediate and unequivocal retraction of the false and repugnant post through the same platform and with the same prominence as the initial post; publish a public apology in at least two national dailies and two television stations with national spread; and send your representation within one week of receipt of this letter.”

The DSS also copied the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, noting Sowore’s dual residency. It reminded him: “Persons of your status who are campaigning to lead this country as critical stakeholders of democracy must be of high integrity and therefore should exercise restraint and responsibility in their speech as well as action. Such individuals and organisations must, in addition, tailor their comments towards promoting peace, security, and good governance in the country.”

Reaffirming its role, the DSS stated: “The DSS is a security intelligence organisation that has its mandate, inter alia, to ensure that Nigerians are not deceived with false propaganda. Consequently, if you fail to correct this false narrative, the Service shall, without further recourse to you, initiate measures it deems most appropriate within the ambit of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”