DSS Saga: Why I Disclosed Details Of My Chat With Bayo Onanuga – Sowere
By PHC Telegraph
According to the activist, “Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, wrote directly to me on WhatsApp, asking that I delete my tweet and Facebook post in which I referred to President Bola Tinubu as a criminal based on Tinubu’s recent speech in Brazil, where he claimed that there is “no more corruption in Nigeria.”
“Onanuga argued that my interpretation was a “misfire,” claiming Tinubu was only referring to the process of sourcing foreign exchange and not corruption as a whole. He even cited examples from business figures like Samad Rabiu to defend his point, and then advised me to delete my post.”
Sowere in his reaction said he has been constrained to release details of the chat between them, saying “I once thought perhaps you were unaware of such abuse, but it is now clear you are complicit.”
The WhatsApp message sent to Sowere by Onanuga read, “Good afternoon. 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 and that you do not need to know CBN Governor Cardoso to get forex.
“Prominent business people like Samad Rabiu have all given testimony about this. That was what he meant. Nothing more. You truly misfired. I will advise that you delete the contentious post. Good afternoon.
Irked by the audacity of Onanuga’s note instructing him to bring down the post, Sowere retorted, “I am surprised that you consider it appropriate to dictate to citizens like me how to interpret what is already in the public domain, especially when it comes to videos and matters that touch on the State of the Nation.
“What is more troubling is that in Nigeria today, 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. I once thought perhaps you were unaware of such abuse, but it is now clear you are complicit.”
Sowere observed that it was Onanuga “who has misfired”, insisting that his request “reflects not only poor judgment but also the mindset of the principal” that he represent.