The Centre for Public Integrity has condemned online publisher and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, over his criticism of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) for conferring its “Man of the Year” award on the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Coordinator, Comrade Job Samuel Danfulani, the group described Sowore’s comments as “deeply troubling and alarming,” saying they carried serious moral, legal and security implications.
While acknowledging Sowore’s right to express dissent, the Centre maintained that such criticism should be exercised responsibly and within the bounds of the law.
“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,” the statement said.
The group noted that the DSS under Ajayi’s leadership had earned commendation from local and international media bodies for its improved relationship with journalists and media organisations.
It recalled that in December, the International Press Institute (IPI) honoured Ajayi for what it described as his “unmistakable commitment to press freedom and respect for journalists and media organisations.”
According to the 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 also cited Ajayi’s decision in April 2025 to remove the Executive Director of the International Press Centre, Lanre Arogundade, from a DSS watchlist on which he had reportedly remained for more than three decades.
It further referenced the withdrawal of charges against online newspaper Order Paper and members of its staff following Ajayi’s intervention.
The group questioned why Sowore had not publicly challenged previous honours bestowed on the DSS chief by the IPI and the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), but had taken issue with the NUJ award.
“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 statement said.
The Centre said the NUJ honoured Ajayi at the end of a two-day security summit in Abuja for promoting “partnership, openness and mutual respect between the media and security institutions.”
It added that the union had commended Ajayi’s leadership style, describing it as one that values “engagement, transparency and partnership” and has been “vital to protecting lives, preserving democratic space and advancing nation-building.”
The organisation further argued that journalists reserve the right to commend or criticise public officials based on verifiable facts and professional judgment.
“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 stated.
The Centre urged human rights organisations and journalists to condemn what it described as Sowore’s “crossing of the lines of decency” and appealed to the DSS Director-General not to be distracted by the controversy.
“We appeal 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,” the statement added.
