The Yoruba Union, a prominent socio-cultural organization known as Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá, has issued a scathing rebuke of the Department of State Services (DSS) for what it describes as a “misplaced and dangerous priority” in its recent actions against Nigerian activist and journalist Omoyele Sowore.
In a statement signed by Convener Olusola Badero and Home Director Princess Balogun, the Union condemned the DSS’s request to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to deactivate Sowore’s account, calling the move an “embarrassing misuse of intelligence resources” amid escalating insecurity across the country.
“It is laughable that a body that prides itself on intelligence gathering is chasing after Sowore’s account while bandits openly upload videos of their atrocities on TikTok, being celebrated online, and still going unchecked,” the statement read.
The Yoruba Union emphasized that the real threats to national security are the terrorists, kidnappers, and bandits who continue to terrorize communities, maim civilians, and post violent content online with impunity. The group accused the DSS of becoming a political tool used to silence critics rather than protect the Nigerian people.
“Every day, Nigerians are being kidnapped, maimed, and killed, yet the DSS has not been able to trace, apprehend, or silence these terrorists. But when it comes to citizens who speak truth to power, the agency suddenly becomes active,” the Union stated.
The organization also condemned the alleged freezing of Sowore’s bank accounts by the Nigerian Police, describing it as part of a broader campaign of intimidation against voices demanding transparency and accountability in governance.
Drawing historical parallels, the Yoruba Union criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration for repeating repressive tactics reminiscent of the Buhari era, which it claims stifled democratic freedoms and civil liberties.
“How exactly does Sowore’s advocacy constitute a national security threat? Was the DSS asleep in 2011 when Tinubu himself described then-President Goodluck Jonathan as a drunk fisherman? Jonathan tolerated dissent. Why is Tinubu intolerant today?” the Union asked.
The Yoruba Union called on X to ignore the DSS’s request and reaffirmed its commitment to defending the rights and freedoms of the Yoruba people and Nigerians at large.
“We will not allow the Nigerian government to muzzle activists, journalists, or critics who are speaking truth to power. Sowore’s voice, and indeed the voice of the Nigerian people, cannot and must not be silenced,” the statement concluded.