The Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) Mr Okechukwu Nwanguma, has said that the arrest of Omoyele Sowore at Lagos International Airport upon his return from the U.S. was deeply condemnable and illustrates the Tinubu administration’s broader intent to silence dissent, stifle civic engagement, and instil fear among the populace.
Nwanguma also said that Sowore’s detention was part of a troubling trend where innocent, patriotic Nigerians are arrested not for any crimes, but for exercising their constitutional rights to dissent and advocate for accountable governance.
He further said: “Instead of quelling activism, these actions are likely to incite greater resistance and potentially destabilize the political landscape, counteracting the democratic progress that has been achieved through significant struggle.
“We call on President Tinubu to immediately release Sowore and all others detained for their peaceful advocacy. The administration must halt its oppressive tactics against activists and focus on the pressing issues of economic hardship, corruption, and security challenges facing the nation.”
