Sowore’s Asinine Attack on Journalists and Free Speech

The Centre For Public Integrity finds deeply troubling and alarming, a Sunday June 21, 2026, post by online publisher and Action Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, attacking the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) for the “Man of the Award” it bestowed on the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi.

In a statement by the group’s coordinator, Comrade Job Samuel Danfulani, the Centre views with seriousness the moral, legal and security implications of Sowore’s posts, especially especially the unwarranted and baseless attack on the NUJ.

While we concede that, it is within Sowore’s rights to fault the award, such should however be done with decency and within the ambit of the law.

Last December, the International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives, and top journalists, honoured the DSS DG for his “unmistakable commitment to press freedom and respect for journalists and media organisations.”

Said IPI, “Unlike in previous years when the SSS was notorious for serial harassment, intimidation, and arrests of journalists, the agency under Mr Ajayi’s leadership has shown remarkable restraint, professionalism, and openness to dialogue.”

The Centre For Public Integrity notes that, in April 2025, Mr. Ajayi ordered the removal, from over 30 years of DSS watchlist, of the Executive Director, International Press Centre, Mr. Lanre Arogundade,

In October, following Mr. Ajayi’s intervention, the secret police dropped charges on alleged cyber defamation, conspiracy, and the publication of false information against an online newspaper, Order Paper, and none staff members.

In case Sowore doesn’t know, journalism in Nigeria is made up of those in the print and broadcast media organisations. In April 2026, the umbrella body of broadcast journalists in Nigeria , Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), gathered in Abuja and bestowed “Friend of the Media” award on the DSS DG.

We find it curious that, Sowore, who didn’t fuss about the IPI and BON awards on the DSS DG, is now rankled by Friday’s award on the same man by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the umbrella body of all journalists in Nigeria.

From media reports, at the end of a two-day security summit in Abuja, the NUJ bestowed “Man of the Year” award on Mr. Ajayi for building “partnership, openness and mutual respect between the media and security institutions.” They explained that his “leadership approach values engagement, transparency and partnership” and has been “vital to protecting lives, preserving democratic space and advancing nation-building.”

From all records, Sowore isn’t a journalist. He, therefore, does not and may never understand the ethics of journalism.

Clearly, Sowore doesn’t know that journalists, as members of the Fourth Estate of the realm, can criticize or applaud policy makers so long as the criticism or applause is objectively earned and based on verifiable facts.

It is on this note that The Centre For Public Integrity joins the IPI, BON and the NUJ in celebrating Mr. Tosin Ajayi for breaking with the tradition of self-help and putting the DSS on the path of the rule of law.

We are witnesses to how the DSS has, since Mr. Ajayi became DG, been running to the courts for adjudication of all matters, including when Sowore called President Bola Tinubu a “criminal” and for which he is standing trial. Sowore, who didn’t find anything wrong with the IPI and BON awards on the DSS DG, suddenly is finding everything wrong with the NUJ award simply because a Federal High Court has asked him to open his defence in a case of alleged criminal defamation against President Tinubu filed against him by the DSS.

Aside IPI, BON and the NUJ, journalists, who have practiced under several governments and under several security chiefs, are singling out Mr. Ajayi for praises. About a week ago, veteran journalist and a former Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Dr. Tonnie Iredia, with far more credible activism credentials than Sowore might ever have, penned a very emotional tribute to Mr. Ajayi’s leadership style. For those who remember, Dr. Iredia anchored Point-blank for several years on the NTA, where he held public officers, including members of the military junta, to account.

We challenge human rights organizations to swiftly condemn this crossing of the lines of decency by Sowore. Just as he has the right to dignity, he should not under any guise attempt to trample on the dignity of others. After all, no dignity is inferior or superior to another. We also expect Nigerian journalists to adequately respond to Sowore’s disrespect for their noble profession.

On a final note, The Centre For Public Integrity appeals to the DSS DG not to allow such reckless provocative actions by Sowore distract or diminish his resolve to continue embracing the rule of law at all times.

Signed:
Comrade Job Samuel Danfulani,
National Coordinator