Monday, September 8, 2025 -The Department of State Services, DSS, has written to controversial activist Omoyele Sowore, demanding the retraction of an alleged disparaging post made against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his verified X handle.
The security agency gave the politician a one-week ultimatum
to withdraw the offending post and tender a public apology to President Tinubu
and the country through major newspapers and television stations.
In the letter dated September 7, 2025, and signed by Uwem
Davis, on behalf of the Director General of DSS informed Sowore that his
remarks had offended several Nigerians, particularly followers of President
Tinubu, who had become restive.
The letter, entitled “Demand for Retraction of Criminal, False and Malicious Post Publication,” was addressed to Omoyele Sowore, using his American address at Englewood, New Jersey, and his social media addresses.
The DSS claimed in the letter that Sowore’s choice of words
in his description of the President were false, malicious, and capable of
inciting public disturbance, disunity, and a breakdown of law and order.
It therefore outlined a series of conditions Sowore must
meet to avoid the consequences of what it described as his unprovoked
statement.
Among other conditions, the DSS demanded that the apology
must be given equal prominence in the medium he used to insult the President
and the country.
The letter read in part: “You will recall that on 26th
August, 2025, at 1138 pm (2338 hours) a comment you made on X (formerly
Twitter) platform to wit: “This criminal actually went to Brazil to state that
there is NO MORE corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie
shamelessly!” in reference to Ahmed Bola TINUBU (GCFR), the President of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria has infuriated a good number of Nigerian citizens,
particularly the President’s supporters who are already becoming restive.
“You may wish to note that 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.
“To put this in proper perspective, these statements are to
say the least capable of causing insurrection, as they are very odious,
repugnant, derogatory and uncomplimentary towards a person occupying the
highest office of this country.
“Those insidious statements have the effect of lowering the
standing, estimation, and respect of Mr. President, before the citizens of
Nigeria and the comity of Nations.
“Against this backdrop, and in the interest of public order,
security and to protect national integrity/unity, you are hereby invited 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 to the State Security Service Headquarters at No 1, Maitama Avenue,
Three Arms Zone, Abuja or
to dsspr@dss.gov.ng cc legalsat@nhss2.org.
“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.
“TAKE NOTICE that the DSS is a Security Intelligence
Organisation that has its mandate, inter alia, to ensure that Nigerians are not
deceived with false propaganda, as such, the Service shall explore all lawful
means to achieve this.
“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.”
The letter was copied to the United States Embassy in Abuja,
for its information.
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