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Presidential aide urged activist to delete post calling Tinubu a “criminal”
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Sowore rejects appeal, accuses Onanuga of enabling state harassment
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DSS summons Sowore, demands retraction and apology within one week
Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has made public a private WhatsApp exchange with presidential spokesperson Mr Bayo Onanuga, who pressed him to delete a social media post describing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a “criminal.”
The former presidential candidate disclosed the message on Tuesday through his verified social media accounts, insisting that no government official has the authority to dictate how citizens interpret presidential remarks.
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The controversy stems from a statement by President Tinubu in Brazil, where he claimed that “there is no more corruption in Nigeria.”
Sowore dismissed the claim, describing the president as a criminal, a position that drew a direct intervention from Mr Onanuga.
In the leaked exchange, Onanuga insisted that Sowore’s interpretation was “a misfire,” arguing that Tinubu was only referring to reforms in foreign exchange allocation, where business leaders no longer need personal ties to the Central Bank to access forex.
He advised Sowore to delete the post.
Rejecting the request, Sowore accused the presidential aide of complicity in enabling harassment of critics by the Department of State Services, political thugs, and other state actors.
He described Onanuga’s intervention as poor judgment and reflective of the mindset of the administration he serves.
READ ALSO: DSS Orders X to Delete Sowore’s Post Attacking Tinubu
Sowore further noted his long professional association with Onanuga dating back to his days as a student activist and journalist, suggesting that the relationship may have influenced the spokesperson’s decision to reach out privately.
The revelation comes shortly after the DSS summoned Sowore over the same post. In a letter dated September 7 and signed by Mr Uwem Davies on behalf of the Director-General, the agency demanded a retraction and public apology within one week, warning that the post was “false, malicious, derogatory and capable of inciting public disturbance.”
The DSS also wrote to X Corp., requesting the removal of the post.
