Yemi Obafemi
The Department of State Services (DSS) has directed activist and journalist Omoyele Sowore to delete a statement on X in which he allegedly disparaged President Bola Tinubu.
In a post on August 26, Sowore reacted to the President’s speech in Brazil, writing: “This criminal @officialABAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”
The DSS, in a statement, said the tweet was personally directed at the President through his official X handle and noted that it has attracted widespread condemnation, with some Nigerians reportedly taking to the streets in protest, creating political tension.
“The tweet is still in circulation and has attracted widespread condemnation by majority of Nigerians, some of whom may resort to unwholesome activities to vent their grievance over it, especially supporters of the President who have started taking to the streets in protest, thereby creating political tension and threatening the country’s national security,” the agency stated.
The DSS described Sowore’s post as “misleading information, online harassment and abuse” that could cause disunity, damage the President’s and Nigeria’s image internationally, and threaten national security. The agency cited multiple laws, including Section 51 of the Criminal Code Act, the Cyber Crimes Act 2025, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, warning that Sowore and the platform through which the tweet was published are criminally liable.
The DSS said Sowore must remove the post immediately to prevent further escalation and safeguard public order.
