The presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 elections, Peter Obi, has expressed concern over the remand of activist and African Action Congress candidate, Omoyele Sowore, at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Obi said the development raises questions about how state institutions are being applied in handling dissent and public criticism.
He stressed that while the judiciary has the responsibility to interpret the law, caution is needed to ensure that its actions are not perceived as targeting opposition voices or limiting civic space.
“I have received, with deep concern, the news of the court’s remand of citizen activist Omoyele Sowore in Kuje Prison,” he said.
“While the judiciary remains the ultimate arbiter of justice, we must consistently guard against any trend that gives the appearance of state institutions being weaponised to systematically stifle dissent, muzzle the press, or shrink the legitimate space for civic engagement in Nigeria.”
Obi said democracy depends on the protection of constitutional rights, especially freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, which he described as central to public accountability.
“A thriving democracy does not survive on the silencing of opposing voices; rather, it is anchored on the robust protection of fundamental human rights, most notably the freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly, as enshrined in our Constitution,” he stated.
He also noted that Nigeria’s ongoing security and economic challenges require careful handling by all arms of government to avoid escalating tensions.
“Moreover, our society is already strained by insecurity and biting economic hardship; therefore, deliberate steps should be taken, even by the courts, to avoid inflaming the situation,” he added.
Obi warned against treating activists, journalists, and critics as threats to national stability, arguing that such actions weaken democratic accountability.
“When we begin to treat citizen critics, activists, and journalists as threats to state survival rather than as partners in building accountability, we signal a dangerous slide toward authoritarianism,” he said.
He urged authorities to ensure full respect for due process and constitutional protections in Sowore’s case, insisting that democratic institutions must be strengthened rather than weakened through enforcement actions.
