Nigerians Condemn Sowore’s Arrest, Demand His Immediate Release

Nigerians have criticised the arrest of African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate and activist Omoyele Sowore by the Department of State Services (DSS), with several prominent figures demanding his immediate release.

Sowore was arrested in the early hours of Saturday, shortly before a planned nationwide protest associated with the hashtag #RevolutionNow.

The activist had promoted the campaign on social media as a platform to criticise the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and draw attention to political, economic and social challenges in the country.

Ahead of the planned protest, Sowore argued that citizens had the right to demand changes in governance and should not require government approval to peacefully express their dissatisfaction.

Following his arrest, several political figures and activists criticised the DSS action and raised concerns about freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

Former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar condemned the arrest, arguing that freedom of speech was constitutionally guaranteed and fundamental to democracy.

Atiku said actions presented as arrests should not be used to suppress legitimate political expression and called for respect for citizens’ democratic rights.

Former Kaduna Central senator Shehu Sani also criticised Sowore’s detention and demanded his release.

Sani warned that Nigeria’s democracy remained fragile and argued that the arrest of political activists could further weaken public confidence in democratic institutions.

He also condemned protests and attacks directed at Amnesty International Nigeria and urged authorities to tolerate peaceful criticism.

Musician Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr P of the former music duo P-Square, also joined calls for Sowore’s release.

Okoye referred to previous protests in which Buhari had participated before becoming president and questioned why similar demonstrations against his administration should result in the arrest of an organiser.

The reactions reflected growing debate over the balance between national security and the constitutional rights of Nigerians to freedom of speech, association and peaceful protest.

Sowore’s supporters maintained that his planned demonstration was an exercise of democratic rights, while the DSS defended its intervention on security grounds.

The arrest subsequently intensified public discussion about civil liberties, opposition politics and the treatment of government critics under the Buhari administration.