Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has insisted he will not withdraw a controversial remark he made about President Bola Tinubu.

Sowore, while reacting to a statement by the President during his recent state visit to Brazil, had described the Nigerian leader as a “criminal.”

In a viral video, Tinubu was heard declaring that since assuming office, there “is no more corruption” in the currency market. Responding via X, Sowore wrote:

“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 post drew the attention of the Department of State Services (DSS), which reportedly reached out to social media companies X and Facebook to deactivate his accounts. The agency also issued him a one-week ultimatum to delete and retract the statement or face the consequences.

Unmoved by the warning, Sowore took to X again, declaring his resolve to stand by his words.

“Even if you give me till the end of Tinubu’s tenure in 2027, I will NOT retract my statement.”