DSS gives Sowore one week to retract post, apologise to Tinubu

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 [email protected] cc [email protected].

“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.

DSS gives Sowore one week to retract post, apologise to Tinubu