The Department of State Services (DSS) has formally written to activist and politician Omoyele Sowore, demanding the retraction of a post he made on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In the letter, dated September 7, 2025, the DSS accused Sowore of using false and malicious words that could incite public unrest, disunity, and a possible breakdown of law and order.
The Post in Question
On August 26, 2025, Sowore shared a post criticizing President Tinubu’s remarks in Brazil, where the President reportedly claimed that corruption no longer exists under his administration. Sowore described the statement as a “shameless lie,” which, according to the DSS, provoked anger among Tinubu’s supporters.
DSS Demands
The letter, signed by Uwem Davis on behalf of the Director-General of the DSS, gave Sowore a one-week ultimatum to:
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Retract the post on the same social media platform with equal visibility.
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Publish a public apology in at least two national newspapers and on two national TV stations.
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Send a formal representation to the DSS headquarters in Abuja or via official email.
The agency warned that failure to comply would lead to lawful actions “deemed most appropriate within the ambit of Nigerian law.”
DSS Justification
According to the DSS, Sowore’s words were:
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“False, malicious, and capable of inciting insurrection.”
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“Derogatory and uncomplimentary towards a person occupying the highest office in Nigeria.”
The service emphasized that individuals aspiring to leadership roles must exercise restraint and promote peace, unity, and good governance.
International Dimension
Interestingly, the DSS letter was also copied to the United States Embassy in Abuja, likely due to Sowore’s American residence in Englewood, New Jersey.
What This Means
This development once again highlights the tension between free speech and national security in Nigeria. While Sowore is known for his bold criticisms of government officials, the DSS insists that such remarks risk destabilizing public order.
As the one-week ultimatum counts down, all eyes will be on Sowore’s response and whether he chooses compliance or confrontation.
Stay tuned to Jamflash for updates on this developing story.
