Pius Nsabe
The recent arrest of human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has sparked a wave of public outcry, political condemnation, and growing concern over the state of civil liberties in Nigeria. Sowore, convener of the #RevolutionNow movement and publisher of Sahara Reporters, was reportedly arrested by security agents when he honoured a police invitation in Abuja, reigniting fears of authoritarianism and intolerance of dissent in the country.
Mr Sowore was detained after honouring an invitation from the IGP Monitoring Unit at the Force Headquarters.
The police invitation followed allegations of forgery and criminal defamation. However, the police have yet to disclose the full details of the petitions despite Mr Sowore’s insistence on transparency.
Prominent organisations such as Amnesty International Nigeria and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have described the arrest as part of a broader crackdown on dissent. “The arrest of Omoyele Sowore is a continuation of the Nigerian authorities’ ongoing campaign of harassment and intimidation against activists and critics,” said Amnesty’s Country Director, Osai Ojigho. SERAP, in a statement, called for Sowore’s immediate and unconditional release, stressing that democratic governance cannot thrive where citizens are punished for demanding accountability.
Former Vice President and 2023 PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, also condemned the arrest, describing it as “a threat to democracy and a disgrace to our justice system.” In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Atiku wrote: “You cannot silence activism with handcuffs. Sowore has every constitutional right to express himself peacefully. This arrest must be reversed immediately.”
Similarly, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) joined the growing chorus of condemnation. Speaking through its spokesperson, Mark Adebayo, the CUPP described the arrest as “a dangerous affront to Nigeria’s democracy” and a reminder of the dark days of military rule. “We cannot stand by while the state criminalizes protest and punishes patriotism. Sowore must be freed now, and those responsible for this illegal detention must be held accountable,” the CUPP statement read.
Adding its voice to the mounting backlash, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) issued a strong rebuke, calling the arrest “a disgraceful abuse of power and an insult to Nigeria’s democratic aspirations.” NLC President Joe Ajaero said in a statement that the government must stop weaponizing the security apparatus against peaceful citizens. “Omoyele Sowore was exercising his constitutionally guaranteed rights. His arrest is a threat not just to him, but to all Nigerians who dare to speak truth to power,” Ajaero declared.
The arrest has drawn widespread political attention, particularly from opposition figures and human rights defenders, who view it as part of a larger effort to silence dissenting voices ahead of the 2027 elections.
This is not the first time Sowore has been arrested for championing civil resistance. He was previously detained in 2019 after calling for a mass movement against bad governance under the #RevolutionNow banner. Despite being granted bail by multiple courts, the DSS held him for several months in defiance of judicial orders, prompting international condemnation and legal sanctions. That incident significantly damaged Nigeria’s human rights image and deepened fears of increasing executive overreach.
Supporters of Sowore argue that he represents a voice for the voiceless, one of the few courageous individuals still willing to confront the political class and demand genuine reform. Sowore himself has repeatedly stated that his call for a “revolution” is not about violent insurrection but about galvanizing Nigerians to hold leaders accountable through peaceful civic engagement.
Nonetheless, critics say his language is sometimes inflammatory and could be misinterpreted. Even among those who disagree with his methods, however, many agree that the arrest reflects poorly on a government that claims to uphold democratic values. They argue that using security forces to target protesters and stifle opposition only reinforces perceptions of repression and weakens national cohesion.
On social media, the public has not been silent. Hashtags like #FreeSowore, #EndOppression, and #RevolutionNow have dominated online conversations, with thousands demanding his release and calling on the government to stop treating activism as criminal conduct. Notably, several celebrities, including musicians, actors, and social media influencers, have voiced their support for Sowore. They warn that the use of state power to intimidate critics only alienates young Nigerians and discourages civic participation.
Legal practitioners are now preparing court filings to challenge the legality of the arrest.
Analysts warn that the government’s response to this incident could define its public image ahead of future elections. There are growing fears that Nigeria is slipping into a climate of fear where peaceful activism is treated as subversion and criticism of the government is met with arrests or intimidation. As the 2027 political season inches closer, many worry that more activists and opposition figures could be targeted in the name of national security or public order.
For now, Sowore remains in custody, and Nigerians await the next move—either from the judiciary, civil society, or the government itself. His continued detention threatens to become a rallying point for mass action, especially among the youth, many of whom already feel shut out of the nation’s political processes. Whether this will ignite broader protests or result in legal redress, one thing is clear: Omoyele Sowore’s arrest has become more than just another crackdown—it is now a test of Nigeria’s democratic resilience.