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The Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has condemned a Nigerian court’s decision to remand activist Omoyele Sowore in Kuje Correctional Centre, describing it as the “weaponisation” of state institutions against dissenting voices.
In a post shared on X on Tuesday, Obi said he received the news of Sowore’s remand “with deep concern,” stressing that while the judiciary remains the final arbiter in matters of justice, democratic institutions must not be seen as instruments of suppression of opposition or civic expression.
His statement comes a day after a Nigerian High Court ordered Sowore’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre following the revocation of his bail on June 16, 2026, after he reportedly failed to appear in court.
Obi said Nigeria must be cautious about actions that could undermine public trust in state institutions.
“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 emphasised that democracy is sustained not by silencing critics, but by protecting constitutional freedoms.
Obi also warned that Nigeria’s current socio-economic and security challenges require caution in the exercise of state power, arguing that heavy-handed responses could worsen tensions.
“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 government critics as enemies of the state, calling for strict adherence to the rule of law and protection of constitutional rights in Sowore’s case.
“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,” he warned.
SOWORE BEING SENT TO PRISON: A DANGEROUS REGRESSION FOR OUR 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…
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) June 23, 2026
