DSS orders Sowore to retract Tinubu ‘criminal’ remark or face legal action
By Jeffrey Agbo
The Department of State Services (DSS) has directed opposition politician and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, to withdraw and apologise for labelling President Bola Tinubu a “criminal” in a recent social media post.
The agency warned that failure to comply would attract consequences “within the ambit of Nigerian law.”
The directive was contained in a letter dated September 7, 2025, signed by Uwem Davies on behalf of the Director-General of the DSS.
The Service described Sowore’s remark as false, malicious, and capable of provoking public unrest, disunity, and a breakdown of law and order.
The DSS was responding to a post made by Sowore on X (formerly Twitter) at 11:38 p.m. on August 26, 2025, where he wrote: “This criminal actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”
According to the letter, “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.”
The Service said Sowore’s comments had tarnished the reputation of President Tinubu locally and internationally, noting that the post had incensed many Nigerians, especially the President’s supporters, who were becoming “restive.”
The DSS ordered Sowore to immediately retract the statement on the same platform with equal visibility, issue a public apology in at least two national newspapers and two television stations with nationwide reach, and forward evidence of compliance to its Abuja headquarters or official email within one week.
The letter added: “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.”
Reiterating its readiness to act if Sowore refuses, the DSS stated: “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 correspondence was also copied to the United States Embassy in Abuja, signalling the diplomatic weight attached to the matter.
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