In a stunning twist that has left social media buzzing, Nigerian activist Omoyele Sowore, once known for his fiery rhetoric and bold accusations, finds himself at the center of a legal drama where his most ardent supporters are now pleading for mercy. Just days ago, the outspoken critic of President Bola Tinubu was riding high, calling the leader a “criminal” on social media platforms like X. Today, his allies at Amnesty International and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) are begging the government to withdraw the defamation lawsuit filed against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).
What a fall from grace!
The Rise and Fall of a Vocal Critic. Sowore, a controversial activist and founder of Sahara Reporters, has long been a thorn in the side of Nigerian authorities. His history of leading student protests in 1992 resulting in the tragic deaths of seven demonstrators and his 2019 arrest for calling for a “RevolutionNow” movement cemented his reputation as an unapologetic voice against oppression. His latest salvo, labeling President Tinubu a criminal, seemed like just another chapter in his defiant playbook. But this time, the DSS opted for a different approach, filing a lawsuit against Sowore.
A Surprising Plea for Intervention!
The plot thickened on September 21, 2025, when a post on X by @Elon_Morsc broke the news: Amnesty International and SERAP have urged President Tinubu to direct the Attorney General to drop the charges against Sowore, as well as against social media platforms X and Facebook. The groups argue that the DSS is misusing judicial processes through what they call a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP), a tactic designed to silence dissent. This move has raised eyebrows, given these organizations’ historical stance against executive interference in judicial matters.
From Boasting to Begging: A Paymaster’s Dilemma
Sowore’s supporters once cheered his unfiltered boldness, but the tide has turned. Critics on X, like @babanhakeem99 mockingly suggest his “diarrhea of the mouth” has landed him in hot water, while groups like the Northern Ethnic Youth Group Assembly (NEYGA) accuse Amnesty and SERAP of undermining democracy by asking the president to meddle in court affairs.
The irony is palpable:
the same paymasters who funded Sowore’s activism are now on their knees, pleading with the government to spare him the legal heat. It’s a far cry from the days when Sowore boasted of toppling regimes with his words. Stay tuned as we follow this unfolding story. What are your thoughts? Drop a comment below.
