False Facebook Publication Sparks Outrage as Dogara Calls for DSS Clampdown

Rt. Honourable Yakubu Dogara, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, has filed a strong petition with the Department of State Services (DSS) against Dr.

Tsiga, accusing him of fabricating and circulating a malicious statement on Facebook capable of inciting hatred, public unrest, and damaging his reputation.
The petition, prepared by his legal counsel, J.J. Usman, SAN & Co., describes the publication as a reckless and dangerous act intended to mislead Nigerians and subject Dogara to ridicule and public contempt.
According to Dogara’s legal team, Dr. Tsiga falsely attributed to him a statement in Hausa which, when translated, reads: “Nigerians must vote for Tinubu, even if it means the country will collapse.” Dogara firmly denied making such a statement, describing it as a gross misrepresentation of democratic values and a deliberate attempt to portray him as supporting coercion. He stressed that the claim was not an error but a calculated fabrication designed to stir hostility, resentment, and division against him within Nigeria’s sensitive political environment.
The petition further argues that attributing such undemocratic views to Dogara constitutes a direct attack on his integrity and credibility, exposing him to public anger and distrust. It characterizes the act as a deliberate smear campaign aimed at destroying his reputation and misleading the public into believing he endorses anti-democratic ideals. His counsel maintained that the publication is both defamatory and a dangerous form of misinformation capable of undermining democratic stability and inflaming public sentiment.
Citing provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, Dogara’s legal team asserted that Dr. Tsiga’s actions fall within the scope of criminal conduct. Section 24(1)(b) criminalizes the intentional transmission of false or offensive messages intended to provoke annoyance, insult, or hatred, while Section 24(2)(a) and (c) prohibit knowingly false communications that result in reputational harm or fear. By allegedly disseminating the fabricated statement on Facebook, the petition contends that Dr. Tsiga engaged in cyberstalking and the deliberate spread of false information with clear intent or reckless disregard for its consequences.
Dogara has therefore urged the DSS to act swiftly by inviting and questioning Dr. Tsiga, conducting a thorough investigation into the origin and spread of the false statement, and prosecuting him or applying appropriate legal sanctions to serve as a deterrent to others. The petition emphasizes that the issue goes beyond personal damage, warning that such misinformation has the potential to destabilize Nigeria’s democratic system by deepening divisions and spreading false narratives.
Dogara noted that his reputation has been built over years of public service, grounded in integrity, responsibility, and respect for democratic principles. He described the publication as a calculated attempt to tarnish his image and mislead the public. He called on the DSS to uphold national security by curbing the spread of false and inflammatory content online, warning that failure to act decisively could encourage similar misuse of social media against public figures and institutions.
In conclusion, Dogara expressed confidence in the DSS’s resolve to combat misinformation and cybercrime. He maintained that those who deliberately spread falsehoods must be held accountable under the law, not only to protect individual reputations but also to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process. The petition highlights the growing threat of malicious online propaganda and the urgent need for firm institutional action to prevent such acts from going unchecked.