(DDM) – Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has published a private WhatsApp exchange with presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the conversation centered on a controversial social media post in which Sowore described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a “criminal.”
The activist revealed the exchange on Tuesday, saying Onanuga personally urged him to delete the post, which was tied to Tinubu’s recent remarks in Brazil.
During his official engagement in the South American country, Tinubu declared that “there is no more corruption in Nigeria,” sparking a wave of criticism across the nation.
Sowore was among those who dismissed the claim, interpreting it as misleading and branding the president a “criminal” in a tweet.
According to Sowore, Onanuga contacted him privately, arguing that his interpretation of Tinubu’s statement was wrong and amounted to a “misfire.”
The presidential aide maintained that Tinubu’s statement was limited to foreign exchange access reforms under CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso, not a blanket declaration of corruption’s end.
Onanuga’s message, as published by Sowore, highlighted testimonies from business figures like industrialist Samad Rabiu, who reportedly praised the new forex policies.
“You truly misfired. I will advise that you delete the contentious post,” Onanuga allegedly wrote.
Sowore, however, flatly rejected the suggestion, describing the request as both inappropriate and complicit in state repression of dissent.
He replied that no official should dictate how citizens interpret a president’s public remarks, especially when they are on record and widely accessible.
“What is more troubling is that anyone who criticises the President is instantly subjected to harassment by the DSS, political thugs, and coercive state instruments,” Sowore stated.
The activist accused Onanuga of enabling the harassment of critics and aligning with the government’s authoritarian approach to public discourse.
Sowore further reflected on his long acquaintance with Onanuga, tracing their connection back to his days as a student activist and journalist before founding Sahara Reporters.
He suggested that this personal history may have influenced Onanuga’s decision to approach him privately rather than through formal state channels.
The revelation comes against the backdrop of a recent Department of State Services (DSS) summons issued to Sowore over the same post.
In a September 7 letter signed by Uwem Davies on behalf of the Director-General, the DSS accused Sowore of spreading a “false, malicious, derogatory” statement capable of inciting unrest.
The agency demanded that Sowore retract his statement and issue a public apology within seven days or risk further action.
The DSS also reached out to X Corp., owners of the platform formerly known as Twitter, asking that the activist’s post be taken down.
Observers note that this episode underscores the tense relationship between outspoken critics and the Tinubu administration, with dissenting voices often targeted for intimidation.
The controversy has reignited debates over freedom of expression, state censorship, and the shrinking civic space in Nigeria’s democratic landscape.