Activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore
has been detained again — this time by the Nigeria Police Force — prompting an
outcry from civic champions across the country.
In two separate but resonant condemnations, the Coalition of United Political
Parties (CUPP) and the Arewa Youth Ambassadors have decried the arrest as
unconstitutional and oppressive.
Peter Ameh, CUPP’s National Secretary, argued that Sowore’s detention directly
breaches Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees the right to
freedom of expression and opinion. He warned that the police are increasingly
acting as tools of state intimidation rather than public service institutions.
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Meanwhile, the Arewa Youth Ambassadors issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the
federal government. They warned of widespread protests across the North and the
Federal Capital Territory if Sowore is not immediately and unconditionally
released — seeing his arrest as part of a disturbing pattern of dissent
suppression.
Why It Matters
|
Issue |
Why It's Important |
|
Rule of Law |
Sowore’s arrest defies constitutional protections, setting
a worrying precedent. |
|
Dissent & Democracy at Risk |
Using the police to silence critics damages public trust
and chokes civic space. |
|
Pressure Mounts |
The 72-hour ultimatum signals civil society is ready to mobilize — police should tread carefully. |
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