The DSS has summoned activist Omoyele Sowore over a social media post calling President Tinubu a “criminal,” demanding retraction and public apology.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has issued a formal summons to activist, politician, and publisher of the online news platform Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, following what the agency described as a disparaging social media post directed at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a letter dated September 7, 2025, and signed by Uwem Davies on behalf of the Director-General of the Service, Sowore was ordered to withdraw the controversial statement he made on X (formerly Twitter) and tender a public apology within one week.
The DSS warned that failure to comply would compel it to take lawful measures against him.
The Service accused Sowore of making a post on August 26, 2025, in which he allegedly referred to President Tinubu as a “criminal.”
The post, according to the DSS, appeared to mock a comment Tinubu made during his trip to Brazil where he spoke about his administration’s stance on fighting corruption.
The DSS described Sowore’s post as “repugnant, derogatory, and capable of inciting public disturbance.”
It argued that such remarks not only diminished the standing of the President before Nigerians but also had the potential of damaging the country’s image before the international community.
The agency outlined several conditions Sowore must fulfill to rectify the matter.
These include:
1. Issuing an unequivocal retraction of his post on X, the same platform where it was made.
2. Publishing formal apologies in at least two widely circulated national newspapers.
3. Broadcasting similar apologies on no fewer than two national television stations.
4. Making an official representation either by appearing at the DSS headquarters in Abuja or by submitting his response through the Service’s official email.
The letter also disclosed that a copy of the correspondence had been forwarded to the United States Embassy in Abuja, an unusual move that highlights the international significance the DSS attaches to the issue, given Sowore’s links to the U.S. and his past international advocacy.
The DSS cautioned that statements like Sowore’s, if left unchecked, could provoke disunity, trigger insurrection, or lead to a breakdown of law and order.
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It stressed that individuals of Sowore’s public standing, particularly those who openly aspire to govern Nigeria, must display restraint, responsibility, and respect in their public communications.
“Persons of your status who are campaigning to lead this country must exercise restraint and responsibility in their speech,” the Service emphasized, adding that it would not hesitate to deploy every lawful instrument at its disposal if he failed to comply.
The agency further underscored that part of its statutory mandate is to protect the Nigerian public from misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda that could erode national unity or endanger stability.
It reiterated its commitment to “explore all lawful means” to counter narratives it considers false or capable of misleading citizens.
This development once again places Sowore at the center of controversy with Nigerian security agencies.
As a former presidential candidate and vocal critic of successive governments, he has had several clashes with the DSS in the past, including arrests, prolonged detentions, and multiple charges bordering on treason.
Observers suggest that the new summons could spark another round of debate on the balance between national security and freedom of expression in Nigeria.
Critics of the DSS may see the directive as an attempt to intimidate dissenting voices, while supporters of the agency may view it as a necessary step to safeguard the dignity of the presidency and protect public order.
The situation is expected to draw both local and international attention, especially given Sowore’s global network of supporters and the involvement of the U.S. Embassy in the correspondence.
