Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has condemned the arrest of human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, describing it as another example of the government’s intolerance for dissent.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Atiku expressed outrage over reports that Sowore and several others were arrested by the Nigeria Police while engaging in peaceful protests in different parts of the country.
“I have just been informed of the arrest of human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, by the Nigeria Police, as well as the arrest of several other citizens who were peacefully protesting in different parts of the country,” Atiku wrote.
The former Vice President said he was “shocked and disappointed, but not surprised,” stressing that it was unacceptable that in 2025, decades after Nigeria’s return to democracy, the government still treats peaceful dissent as a crime.
“Shocked that in 2025, decades after we defeated military rule, this government still treats dissent as a crime. Disappointed because those in power today once thrived on protests,” Atiku lamented.
He further accused President Bola Tinubu of betraying the democratic values he once championed, saying the president “continues to show Nigerians exactly who he is and what he intends to be, if we allow him.”
Atiku’s statement has drawn widespread attention on social media, with many Nigerians echoing concerns about shrinking civic space and the government’s increasing use of security agencies to suppress opposition voices.
The arrest of Sowore reportedly occurred inside the Federal High Court premises in Abuja, where he had gone to attend the trial of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, sparking public outrage and renewed calls for respect for fundamental rights.
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