“Suppression and intimidation of dissent can never stand” — Peter Obi reacts to arrest of Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar after his visit

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticised the arrest of Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar, linking the incident to concerns about civil liberties and democratic practice in Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Obi said he became aware early in the day that the cleric had been taken into custody shortly after receiving him in Kaduna on Sunday. He described the timing of the arrest as troubling and questioned its implications.

Obi said the development reflects a broader pattern that raises questions about how dissent and public engagement are handled. He argued that restrictions affecting movement, expression, and interactions between citizens and public figures risk undermining democratic norms.

He emphasised that protections for free expression and association remain central to any functioning democracy, adding that state institutions have a responsibility to operate within the boundaries of the law while respecting individual rights.

According to him, actions perceived as targeting individuals for their views or associations should not be allowed to persist, and authorities must ensure that enforcement processes do not erode public confidence in governance.

The statement also urged officials to prioritise adherence to the rule of law in dealings with citizens and to avoid measures that could be interpreted as intimidation.

When contacted, Kaduna State Police Command spokesperson ASP Mansir Hassan said he was not aware of the reported arrest and indicated that further details would be provided after verification.