The Centre for Public Integrity (CPI) has defended the Department of State Services (DSS) against criticism by activist Omoyele Sowore, accusing him of unfairly attacking the security agency despite what it described as improvements in its operations under the current leadership.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Job Samuel Danfulani, the group described Sowore’s comments about the DSS as derogatory and alleged that they failed to reflect what it called reforms within the agency.
The CPI recalled Sowore’s arrest in August 2019 during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari over the #RevolutionNow protests, noting that he remained in DSS custody for several months despite being granted bail by a court.
According to the group, Sowore now enjoys his constitutional rights without the restrictions he previously faced but has continued to criticise the security agency.
“It is highly ironic that Sowore, who was once subjected to prolonged detention and restricted movement, now moves freely from one event to another and from hotel to hotel, fully enjoying the democratic space and the reformed nature of the DSS under the leadership of Director-General Oluwatosin Ajayi,” Danfulani said.
The organisation argued that the current DSS has demonstrated greater professionalism than in the past and claimed this had been acknowledged by judicial stakeholders and other observers.
“Rather than acknowledging the positive transformation and professionalism of the DSS—which has been attested to by judicial stakeholders and observers alike—Sowore has chosen to condemn the very agency that has worked tirelessly to sustain Nigeria’s democracy as one of the most formidable institutions in Africa,” the statement added.
The CPI also alleged that Sowore’s continued criticism of state institutions aligns with the interests of foreign organisations seeking to destabilise Nigeria.
“We cannot keep quiet when critical government institutions are intentionally blackmailed to satisfy the ego of one man. It is well known that Sowore’s actions align with the agenda of foreign organizations whose target is the destabilization of Nigeria,” the group alleged.
The organisation further criticised Sowore over remarks it said he made against security personnel.
“The attitude of calling our uniformed men—who daily sacrifice their lives for our peaceful existence—’stupid’ and ‘criminal’ is totally unacceptable. The idea that Sowore is the only credible person in Nigeria speaks volumes about the limitations of his reasoning,” Danfulani said.
The CPI also alleged that Sowore’s presidential ambition was aimed at creating national distraction and claimed he had criticised other opposition figures, including Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar.
In addition, the group questioned the structure of the African Action Congress (AAC), alleging that Sowore occupies multiple leadership positions within the party while also seeking its presidential ticket.
Responding to Sowore’s complaints about the conditions of his detention, including his claim that he was held alongside tuberculosis patients, Danfulani said detention facilities are not intended to provide luxury.
“Kuje Prison is not a hotel. What exactly was he expecting? Did he expect to be lodged at the Transcorp Hilton or the Abuja Continental Hotel? Or did he expect to be pampered like a baby in custody? A correctional facility is for detention, not luxury,” he said.
The Centre urged Nigerians to support the DSS and other security agencies, including the military and the police, as they carry out their constitutional responsibilities.
