By Izunna Okafor, Awka
Former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has condemned in strong terms the arrest of activist and publisher, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, by the Nigerian Police Force.
Obi made his position known in a press statement personally signed and shared via his official X handle on Thursday, describing the arrest as unjust, unwarranted, and an abuse of state power.
According to Obi, Sowore was arrested on Wednesday shortly after he voluntarily honoured an invitation by the Nigerian Police, an action he said demonstrated good faith and willingness to cooperate with law enforcement. He expressed concern that, as of the time of his statement, no credible or clearly stated charges had been made public against the activist, which, in his words, “casts a troubling shadow over the nature and motivation behind his detention.”
Obi argued that such an arrest, especially in the absence of urgency or any indication that the accused posed a flight risk, reflects high-handedness on the part of the authorities and stands in clear violation of the principles of justice and due process. He stressed that detaining a citizen who presented himself voluntarily without first disclosing lawful charges amounts to a miscarriage of justice and an abuse of power by the state.
Quoting the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, Obi reminded the authorities that “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 warned that when those entrusted with state power act unjustly, they not only undermine the legal order but also erode the moral conscience of the nation.
The former presidential candidate urged the Nigerian Police to immediately release Sowore or, alternatively, charge him formally under the law. He cautioned that anything short of this would further damage public trust in the nation’s law enforcement institutions and weaken the country’s commitment to the rule of law.
Obi concluded by reiterating that the application of the rule of law must not be selective, insisting that all citizens—regardless of ideology, background, or political affiliation—must enjoy equal protection and fair treatment under the law.
