Peter Obi, former Labour Party presidential candidate, has raised concerns over the arrest of religious leader Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar, describing the development as a threat to fundamental freedoms.
Obi disclosed that Umar was reportedly arrested shortly after hosting him in Kaduna on Sunday, a situation he said reflects a troubling trend in Nigeria’s political environment.
In a post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, the former Anambra State governor warned that such actions could undermine democratic values, particularly freedom of speech and movement.
“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 further called on authorities to uphold democratic principles, stressing that suppression and intimidation of dissenting voices have no place in a democratic society.
He urged those in positions of power to respect the rule of law, warning that continued actions of this nature could weaken Nigeria’s already fragile democracy.