The Department of State Services (DSS) has issued a one-week ultimatum to activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, demanding he retract what it described as a “false, malicious, and inciting” social media post about President Bola Tinubu.
In a letter dated September 7, 2025, the DSS accused Sowore of making “criminal and derogatory” remarks against the President in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on August 26, 2025.
The DSS warned that failure to comply with its directive would compel it to “explore all lawful means” to protect national security and public order.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate under the African Action Congress (AAC) and pro-democracy activist, had in the post described Tinubu as a “criminal,” accusing him of deceiving Nigerians after the President reportedly stated in Brazil that corruption no longer existed under his administration.
Through its Director of Legal Services, Uwem Davies, the DSS said the remarks had provoked public outrage and could “incite public disturbance, disunity, and even insurrection.”
“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,” the DSS stated in the letter addressed to Sowore.
“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 letter added.
The agency directed Sowore to retract the post immediately on the same X platform and with equal prominence as the original statement.
Additionally, it ordered him to publish a public apology in at least two widely read national newspapers and two television stations with nationwide reach.
The DSS further instructed Sowore to send a formal representation to its headquarters at No. 1, Maitama Avenue, Three Arms Zone, Abuja, or via its official email within one week of receiving the letter.
“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 letter read in part.
The DSS also copied the United States Embassy in Abuja, indicating that the issue had drawn diplomatic attention due to Sowore’s dual residency in Nigeria and the U.S.
The secret service reminded Sowore, who has consistently criticised successive Nigerian governments, that individuals aspiring to lead must demonstrate integrity and responsibility in both speech and action.
“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,” the DSS added.
The agency emphasised that its constitutional duty includes preventing the spread of false propaganda and warned it would take necessary legal steps if Sowore failed to comply.
“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,” it stated.
