Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate within the 2023 election, says a cleric who not too long ago hosted him in Kaduna State has been arrested.
In a put up shared on his X (previously Twitter) account on Tuesday, Obi stated he was knowledgeable that the spiritual chief, Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar, was arrested shortly after internet hosting him throughout a go to to Kaduna on Sunday.
“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 stated.
The former governor described the incident as an indication of a worsening local weather for civil liberties, warning that it might undermine Nigeria’s democratic ideas if not urgently addressed.
“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. This cannot be allowed to continue,” he stated.
Obi emphasised that safeguarding elementary freedoms is important in a democratic society and urged authorities to stick strictly to the rule of legislation.
“This country must defend freedom and free speech, which are the hallmarks of every democratic society. Suppression and intimidation of dissent can never stand in a democratic society, and this Nigerian government must understand this fact,” he added.
He additional referred to as on related authorities to keep away from actions that might weaken democratic establishments.
“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,” Obi stated.
As of the time of submitting this report, authorities had not issued any official assertion relating to the arrest or the circumstances surrounding it.
