Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State and the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 Nigerian general elections, has strongly criticised the Nigerian Police Force over the detention of activist and journalist Omoyele Sowore.
Obi, widely known for his advocacy of transparency, good governance, and the rule of law, described the incident as deeply troubling and an affront to justice.
In a statement, Obi said he was profoundly disturbed to learn of Sowore’s arrest, which occurred shortly after the activist voluntarily honoured an invitation from the Nigerian Police Force.
He stressed that, as of the time of his reaction, no clear or credible charges had been made public. This lack of transparency, he noted, casts a serious shadow over the legitimacy and true motivation behind the detention.
The former governor condemned the arrest in strong terms, highlighting that Sowore had presented himself in good faith and fully cooperated with law enforcement. According to Obi, there was no urgency, security threat, or risk of flight that would justify the high-handed treatment meted out to him.
He argued that detaining a citizen who voluntarily appears before the authorities—without the public disclosure of lawful charges—amounts to a miscarriage of justice and a blatant abuse of state power.
Obi warned that such actions are not isolated administrative errors but part of a larger pattern that erodes public trust in law enforcement and undermines Nigeria’s democratic values.
He drew on the timeless words of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, who observed 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.” According to Obi, when those entrusted with authority act unjustly, they corrupt not only the legal order but also the moral conscience of the nation.
Calling for urgent corrective action, Obi demanded that the Nigerian Police either release Omoyele Sowore immediately or formally charge him in accordance with the law. Anything less, he warned, would deepen public scepticism and further weaken confidence in the nation’s justice system.
Obi concluded by reminding Nigerians that the rule of law is the foundation of any functional democracy and must be applied equally to all citizens, regardless of political affiliation, ideology, or background. He urged both leaders and citizens to resist any abuse of state power and to defend justice as a shared national duty.
