The Department of State Services (DSS) has issued a one-week ultimatum to human rights activist and pro-democracy campaigner, Omoyele Sowore, over what it described as a “false, malicious, and inciting” social media post about President Bola Tinubu.
In a letter dated September 7, the DSS accused Sowore of making criminal and derogatory remarks against the President in a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on August 26. According to the security agency, the activist’s comments were not only defamatory but also capable of undermining public peace.
Transitioning from its warning, the DSS stated that failure by Sowore to retract the post would compel the agency to “explore all lawful means” to protect national security and maintain public order.
In the viral post, Sowore had described President Tinubu as a “criminal,” while accusing him of lying to Nigerians. The activist made the remarks after Tinubu reportedly claimed that corruption no longer existed under his administration.
Further emphasizing its position, the DSS, through its Director of Legal Services, Uwem Davies, said the remarks had already sparked outrage among citizens and could “incite public disturbance, disunity, and even insurrection.”
However, in a swift reaction, Sowore revealed that X had officially notified him about a letter from the DSS concerning his post. Despite the security agency’s demands, the former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) vowed not to comply.
“One option I will not be taking is deleting that Tweet. Thank you, @X,” he stated on Sunday.
This development further highlights the ongoing tension between Nigeria’s security agencies and opposition voices. While the DSS insists that Sowore’s post threatens national stability, rights advocates argue that such actions may infringe on freedom of expression in a democratic society.
