HUMAN rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has rejected a directive by the State Security Service (SSS), also known as the Department of State Services (DSS), that his deletes a social media post criticising President Bola Tinubu.
In a letter addressed to the SSS Director-General and shared on his official X handle on Friday, September 12, Sowore described the agency’s action as “unlawful, insidious, and fundamentally defective.”
The SSS had accused him of publishing “criminal, false, and malicious” content against the president and demanded a retraction. But Sowore argued that the security agency lacked power to act as a proxy for Tinubu in alleged defamation matters.
Citing the 1985 Court of Appeal ruling in Arthur Nwankwo v. State, Sowore maintained that criminal defamation laws were unconstitutional.
He added that freedom of expression was guaranteed under Section 39 of Nigeria’s Constitution, and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
“You have no business telling me how to criticise the president. The determination of the Nigerian people to reclaim their country from thieves in power is unwavering,” he declared, vowing to continue his activism.
Sowore also recalled his history of confrontations with security agencies, including arrests during his student union days, his prolonged incarceration in 2019 on treason charges, and the SSS refusal to obey multiple court orders for his release and the return of seized properties.
The SSS had earlier petitioned X Corps, demanding the suspension of Sowore’s verified handle, @YeleSowore, over a post it described as “misleading, offensive, and a threat to national security.”
In a letter dated September 6, 2025, the agency claimed Sowore disparaged the president in a post he made on August 25, 2025, part of which read: “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 SSS said the post attracted condemnation and sparked protests from Tinubu’s supporters, warning it could fuel political unrest.
It further alleged that Sowore’s comments violated provisions of the Criminal Code Act, the Cybercrimes Act 2025, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
But responding on Sunday, Sowore confirmed that X Corp had formally contacted him about the SSS request.
He vowed not to yield to pressure, insisting his criticism of the government was consistent with his long-standing activism and the fight against misrule in Nigeria.
A reporter with the ICIR
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