Our Reporter, Abuja
African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential hopeful and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, on Tuesday raised alarm over what he described as a growing assault on Nigeria’s democracy following the reported arrest of a Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar, shortly after hosting him.
In a statement, Obi said he was informed that the cleric was arrested by authorities soon after their meeting in Kaduna on Sunday, a development he said reflects an increasingly hostile climate for dissenting voices.
“I have just been made aware early this morning that revered religious leader, Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar, has been arrested by authorities shortly after hosting me in Kaduna on Sunday,” Obi said.
Describing the incident as “deeply troubling,” he warned that the country is witnessing a steady erosion of fundamental freedoms.
“This development underscores the deeply troubling state of our nation and our democracy, where freedom of speech and movement is increasingly threatened, and where citizens and perceived political opponents face harassment and unnecessary persecution,” he stated.
Obi cautioned that such actions, if unchecked, could further weaken already fragile democratic institutions, insisting that repression has no place in a democratic society.
“This cannot be allowed to continue,” he said.
“This country must defend freedom and free speech, which are the hallmarks of every democratic society.”
The former presidential candidate also took a swipe at authorities over what he implied was a pattern of intimidation, warning that suppressing dissent could have grave consequences.
“Suppression and intimidation of dissent can never stand in a democratic society, and this Nigerian government must understand this fact,” Obi declared.
He urged those in positions of authority to halt actions capable of undermining democracy and instead uphold the rule of law in dealing with citizens.
“I respectfully call on all those bent on undermining our already fragile democracy to please stop and apply the rule of law and tenets of democracy in dealing with citizens,” he added.
As of press time, there was no official response from security agencies regarding the circumstances surrounding Umar’s arrest. But analysts suggest a broader pattern of targeting loyalists of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who is to be arraigned for corruption today by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
