DSS Issues One-Week Ultimatum to Sowore Over Social Media Post on President Tinubu

The Department of State Services (DSS) has given Nigerian activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore a one-week deadline to retract a social media post deemed “false, malicious, and inciting” against President Bola Tinubu.

In a letter dated September 7, the agency accused Sowore of making “criminal and derogatory” remarks in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on August 26, in which he referred to President Tinubu as a “criminal” and accused him of misleading Nigerians by claiming that corruption had been eradicated under his administration.

The DSS, through its Director of Legal Services, Uwem Davies, warned that failure to comply with the directive would compel the agency to “explore all lawful means” to safeguard national security and public order.

According to the DSS, the post had provoked public anger and held the potential to incite unrest, disunity, or even insurrection.

Sowore, who leads the African Action Congress (AAC) and is a prominent pro-democracy campaigner, confirmed on Sunday that he had been contacted by X regarding the DSS letter.

However, he maintained his stance and rejected the agency’s demand.

“One option I will not be taking is deleting that tweet. Thank you, @X,” Sowore wrote.