The Department of State Services (DSS) has issued a formal demand to activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, to retract what it described as a “criminal, false and malicious” comment made against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a letter signed by Uwem Davies on behalf of the Director General of the DSS, Sowore was accused of making derogatory remarks about the President in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on August 26, 2025, at 11:38 pm. The post reportedly read: “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 stated that Sowore’s remarks were not only false and malicious but also capable of inciting public unrest, disunity, and even insurrection. “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,” the letter said.
The Service directed Sowore to take three actions:
1. Make an immediate and unequivocal retraction of the statement on the same platform with equal prominence.
2. Publish a public apology in at least two national newspapers and two television stations with nationwide reach.
3. Submit a formal representation within one week to the DSS Headquarters in Abuja or via email.
The letter warned that failure to comply would compel the DSS to “explore all lawful means” to correct the narrative. It further emphasized that individuals aspiring to lead Nigeria must exercise restraint and responsibility in their public utterances.
Copies of the correspondence were also sent to the United States Embassy in Abuja.
