DSS Gives Sowore One-Week Ultimatum to Retract Anti-Tinubu Post
Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) has given pro-democracy activist Omoyele Sowore one week to retract a social media post in which he called President Bola Tinubu a “criminal.”
The DSS, in a letter dated September 7 and signed by its Director of Legal Services Uwem Davies, described Sowore’s comments as “false, malicious, and inciting,” warning that they could provoke disunity and insurrection.
Ultimatum and Conditions
The agency ordered Sowore to:
- Retract the post on X (formerly Twitter) with the same prominence.
- Publish a public apology in at least two national newspapers and two television stations.
- Send a formal representation to DSS headquarters or its official email within one week.
Failure to comply, it warned, would compel the service to “initiate measures it deems most appropriate within the ambit of the law.”
International Angle
The DSS also copied the US Embassy in Abuja, indicating that the matter has drawn diplomatic attention given Sowore’s dual residency in Nigeria and the United States.
The service reminded Sowore that as a former presidential candidate and “critical stakeholder in democracy,” he must exercise restraint and responsibility in both speech and action.
Sowore’s History of Confrontation
This ultimatum marks the second major face-off in two days. On September 8, Amnesty International condemned DSS attempts to pressure X Corp into deactivating Sowore’s account, calling it censorship.
Sowore has a long history of clashes with Nigeria’s security agencies, dating back to his 2019 arrest over the #RevolutionNow protests. He was later released after multiple court battles but remains a vocal critic of successive governments.
Rising Tension
Civil society groups warn that the DSS action risks inflaming tensions over free speech and political dissent. Supporters argue that the crackdown reflects an insecure government unable to tolerate criticism.
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