How Onanuga asks me to delete post calling Tinubu criminal — Sowore

Abdullateef Fowewe

Activist Omoyele Sowore has revealed an unusual private interaction with Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga after Sowore called President Bola Tinubu a criminal on social media.

Sowore said Onanuga messaged him on WhatsApp, urging him to delete a tweet and Facebook post in which he criticised Tinubu’s claims made during a recent speech in Brazil that “there is no more corruption in Nigeria.”

Onanuga’s message challenged Sowore’s interpretation, stating,
“Your August 26 tweet that the DSS is complaining about is anchored on a total misinterpretation of what the President said in Brazil.

He said there was no more corruption regarding sourcing foreign exchange. You truly misfired. I will advise that you delete the contentious post.”

In response, Sowore expressed surprise at being told how to interpret a public statement and condemned the intimidation faced by critics of the President.

He wrote back, “I am surprised that you consider it appropriate to dictate to citizens like me how to interpret what is already in the public domain, anyone who dares to criticise the President is instantly subjected to harassment by the DSS, political thugs, and every coercive instrument the state can muster. It is you who has misfired.”

Sowore also disclosed his long history with Onanuga, noting they had worked in Nigerian media circles decades ago, which likely explains the private nature of the message.

He added that Onanuga did not respond when asked for permission to make their exchange public.