₦airaland Forum

The Department of State Services (DSS) has summoned activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, over what it described as a “false and malicious” social media post against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a letter dated September 7, 2025 by Uwem Davies on behalf of the Director-General of the Service, Sowore was asked to retract his comment on X (formerly Twitter) and tender a public apology within one week.

The DSS accused Sowore of referring to the President as a “criminal” in a post on August 26, 2025, where he allegedly mocked Tinubu’s statement in Brazil on corruption. The Service said the post was “repugnant, derogatory and capable of inciting public disturbance.”

According to the letter, Sowore must issue an unequivocal retraction on the same platform, publish apologies in at least two national dailies and two television stations, and send a representation to the DSS headquarters in Abuja or via email.

The agency also copied the United States Embassy in Abuja, notifying it of the development.

The DSS said Sowore’s comments had the potential to lower the President’s standing before Nigerians and the international community, warning that they could trigger disunity, insurrection, or a breakdown of law and order.

“Persons of your status who are campaigning to lead this country must exercise restraint and responsibility in their speech,” the Service stressed, adding that it would not hesitate to take lawful measures if Sowore failed to comply.

The Service maintained that its mandate includes ensuring Nigerians are not deceived by false propaganda, noting it would “explore all lawful means” to counter misinformation capable of undermining national unity.

zero8zero:
Those 🤡🤡 who were supporting Obi for issuing ultimatum to Deji and threatening him with lawsuit for calling him a political fraud, are the same people abusing the DSS for asking Sowore to be responsible in his comments.
Atleast, the DSS is backing it up and summoning Sowore but Giringori on the other hand, is still sleeping in his medical bed without the liver to pursue the case against Deji after the 7 day ultimatum.
God bless the DSS, God bless Nigeria.

Ofunaofu:
Imagine dragging Peter Obi into a thread that has absolutely nothing to do with him, the obsession is wild. You people can’t go a single day without mentioning his name; it’s giving rent-free, it’s giving fixation.

Now, comparing the DSS summoning a citizen to someone issuing a personal ultimatum over defamation is not only a false equivalence but pure intellectual laziness. The DSS is a state institution with the power of force, Obi is a private citizen, not a state security agency. Use your head.

Face the mountain of chaos your Tinubu has turned the country into. Focus on governance and leave Obi out of your mouth for once, it’s starting to look like a crush.

brain54:
Is DSS and court of law the same...?

Oga tibunu blind supporter!

zero8zero:
No, they're not. As if the way you can sue people to court is not the way DSS also sue people to court. Let me grade your IQ

brain54:
See person wey wan grade person iq..

Arguing with you or telling you anything is a waste of time.

Wallow in your ignor ance and su ffe ring!

zero8zero:
This one does not even know a private citizen can petition the DSS and they will act on his/her petition. At the end of the day, the DSS like the Police, EFCC and any public institution can approach the court for enforcement of the law.
Thank God I am not the one paying your school fees. I don't waste funds on your type.

zero8zero:
How many threads have you dragged Tinubu where it had nothing to do with him?. Even Gbajue can't stop mentioning Tinubu everyday.
Is the court of law not also a state institution, what's stopping Obi from dragging Deji there?, Or did his lawyers who wrote the letter on his behalf tell him the courts are on strike?

Ofunaofu:
You people act like Tinubu is above criticism just because he's your political idol. Sorry to burst your bubble, but Tinubu must be dragged, he's the president, and his anti-people policies are wrecking our economy, crushing the poor, and affecting our daily lives.

If he wanted peace and quiet, he should’ve stayed in Bourdillon, not Aso Rock.

And about the courts maybe read something besides propaganda. Obi is following legal procedures, and unlike your dlórd who weaponize state institutions for vendettas.

So yeah, we’ll keep dragging Tinubu on threads, every where

brain54:
I already told you I won't waste my time with you...

I can't reduce myself to your level!

zero8zero:
Those 🤡🤡 who were supporting Obi for issuing ultimatum to Deji and threatening him with lawsuit for calling him a political fraud, are the same people abusing the DSS for asking Sowore to be responsible in his comments.
Atleast, the DSS is backing it up and summoning Sowore but Giringori on the other hand, is still sleeping in his medical bed without the liver to pursue the case against Deji after the 7 day ultimatum.
God bless the DSS, God bless Nigeria.

zero8zero:
This one does not even know a private citizen can petition the DSS and they will act on his/her petition. At the end of the day, the DSS like the Police, EFCC and any public institution can approach the court for enforcement of the law.
Thank God I am not the one paying your school fees. I don't waste funds on your type.

brain54:
See person wey wan pay school fees...

You never chop belle full you wan pay school fees.

Just dey go abeg.

Ok. You are right 👍

Dey go!

ogolemati:
always quarreling,but is there no way druglord can prove to sowore that he is not a thief without sending DSS

zero8zero:
That's why I can't pay your school fees, it will amount to a total waste. the people that are paying it are regretting right now

brain54:
k

zero8zero:
As Gbajue cannot prove to Deji that he is not a political fraud.

zero8zero:
As Gbajue cannot prove to Deji that he is not a political fraud.

ogolemati:
see reasoning so why bring in DSS

zero8zero:
Is there any law stopping Mr Gbajue from reporting Deji to DSS? 🤣

ogolemati:
so the one that sowore called a criminal reported to DSS

zero8zero:
Gbajue can report Deji to DSS for calling him a political fraud, nothing is stopping him.