Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has raised strong objections to the arrest of journalist, human rights activist, and Sahara Reporters founder, Omoyele Sowore, calling it “a direct affront to press freedom and civic rights” in Nigeria.
In a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Obi expressed deep concern that Sowore was arrested on Thursday, only minutes after voluntarily honouring an invitation from the Nigerian Police Force. He emphasised that no credible or lawful charges have been made public, raising serious questions about the motivation behind the arrest.
“When a citizen willingly presents himself to law enforcement, without any signs of criminal intent or risk of escape, arresting him in this manner is not only unjustifiable but also high-handed,” Obi wrote. “This is a miscarriage of justice and an abuse of state power.”
A Press Freedom Issue
Obi warned that detaining a journalist under unclear circumstances sends a dangerous signal to the media community and civil society at large. He stressed that journalists play a vital role in holding governments accountable, and any attempt to silence or intimidate them threatens the core of democracy.
“Freedom of expression and the press are not privileges that the state can withdraw at will — they are constitutional rights that must be protected without compromise,” Obi stated.
Impact on Civic Rights and Public Trust
Beyond press freedom, Obi cautioned that arbitrary arrests erode civic rights and weaken public trust in law enforcement institutions. Quoting ancient philosopher Plato, he said: “Justice in the life and conduct of the State is possible only as first it resides in the hearts and souls of the citizens.”
He argued that when those entrusted with power act unjustly, they damage not only the legal order but also the moral conscience of the nation.
Clear Demand to the Police
The former governor of Anambra State called on the Nigerian Police Force to either release Sowore immediately or charge him formally under the law. Anything short of this, he warned, would deepen the perception that Nigeria is sliding towards selective justice.
“This is not about one man’s arrest,” Obi continued. “It is about whether every Nigerian can feel safe to speak their mind, practise their profession, and challenge authority without fear of persecution. If we lose that, we lose the soul of our democracy.”
Sowore’s History of Confronting Power
Sowore, a well-known critic of successive Nigerian governments, has faced multiple arrests in recent years, often in controversial circumstances linked to his activism and journalism. Civil society groups, human rights advocates, and international observers have repeatedly expressed concern over what they see as a pattern of intimidation.
The Bigger Picture for Nigeria’s Democracy
Obi’s remarks come at a time when Nigeria’s democratic institutions are under increasing scrutiny. His statement not only demands justice for Sowore but also serves as a broader call to defend press freedom, civic rights, and the rule of law for all citizens, regardless of political affiliation or ideology.
