The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has condemned the remand of activist Omoyele Sowore at the Kuje Correctional Centre, describing it as a “dangerous regression for our democracy” and warning against the growing use of state institutions to stifle dissent in Nigeria.
Obi’s reaction follows a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja on Monday, where Justice Mohammed Umar ordered Sowore’s remand pending the determination of his application seeking a stay of execution of an earlier order revoking his bail.
The court also dismissed an application seeking the judge’s recusal over alleged bias.
Reacting in a statement shared on Tuesday, Obi said the development reflects a worrying trend that could undermine civic freedom if not checked.
“Sowore being sent to prison: A dangerous regression for democracy. I have received, with deep concern, the news of the court’s remand of citizen activist Omoyele Sowore in Kuje Prison.
“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,” he said.
He stressed that democracy must be anchored on the protection of fundamental rights rather than the suppression of critical voices.
“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,” Obi added.
Obi warned that continued pressure on civic space could deepen public distrust in state institutions, especially at a time of economic hardship and insecurity.
“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 said.
He further cautioned against treating critics of government as threats to national stability.
“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,” Obi stated.
He urged authorities to ensure strict adherence to constitutional protections and due process, insisting that Nigeria’s democratic institutions must not be weakened in the name of enforcement.
“We cannot build a New Nigeria if we continue to undermine the very democratic structures meant to protect us all,” he said.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project also criticised Sowore’s detention, arguing that he was being held for peacefully exercising his rights, as debates continue over judicial independence and the shrinking civic space in Nigeria.
