Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has called for the immediate release of African Action Congress (AAC) National Chairman and presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, describing his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre as a threat to democracy and an indication of an emerging authoritarian culture under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement issued on Sunday, June 28, 2026, by its South-West Zonal Organising Secretary, Comrade Wale Balogun, the party condemned Sowore's continued detention, arguing that it raised serious concerns about the rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights in Nigeria. According to the SDP, Sowore's ordeal under successive All Progressives Congress (APC)-led governments since 2015 reflects "ominous signs of a budding civilian dictatorship and an alarming drift towards authoritarianism".
The party said, "The remand of a prominent opposition figure and activist under circumstances that appear politically charged is condemnable, unnecessary, and unacceptable in a constitutional democracy". The SDP maintained that Sowore had consistently complied with legal processes and posed no flight risk, stating, "Mr. Sowore has never evaded arrest, refused invitations by security agencies, jumped bail, or attempted to flee the country". The party added that the revocation of his bail and subsequent remand created "the unfortunate impression of a premeditated attempt either to incarcerate him at all costs or to put him out of public circulation ahead of the 2027 general elections".
The SDP also expressed concern over what it described as increasing executive influence over the judiciary, alleging that security agencies had continued to deploy state power against critics instead of protecting citizens' constitutional rights. The party further referenced reports that one of Sowore's lawyers was allegedly ordered to kneel before the court during proceedings, saying the incident had raised questions about judicial impartiality. "Against this backdrop, Mr. Sowore's call for the presiding judge to recuse himself from the case cannot be dismissed outright and deserves serious consideration in the interest of justice and public confidence in the judicial process," the statement said.
The party noted that Sowore had publicly alleged that the Tinubu administration was seeking to imprison him because of his criticism of government policies and political activities. The SDP called for either the reassignment of the case to another judge or the voluntary recusal of the presiding judge, insisting that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done. More significantly, the party demanded Sowore's immediate release, stating, "He is neither a deserter nor a fugitive. He has not jumped bail and poses no flight risk". It described his continued prosecution and detention as "what increasingly appears to be vindictive persecution because he remains a thorn in the flesh of the establishment," adding that such actions were inconsistent with democratic norms and constitutional governance.
The party also warned that the Federal Government would be held responsible for Sowore's safety while in custody, stating, "The SDP further warns that any harm, physical or otherwise, that befalls Mr. Sowore while in state custody will attract grave public concern, and the Federal Government must bear full responsibility for guaranteeing his safety, dignity, and constitutional rights". The SDP argued that democracy depends on robust opposition, freedom of expression and citizens' ability to criticise those in power without fear of persecution.
Sowore's detention stems from charges filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) under Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024. The case dates back to August 25, 2025, when Sowore made social media posts about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following remarks attributed to the president during a visit to Brazil. According to the DSS, rather than move to arrest him, the agency initially sought a less confrontational approach, demanding a retraction within one week in a letter dated September 4, 2025.
On June 16, 2026, Justice Mohammed Umar revoked Sowore's bail and issued a bench warrant after the activist failed to appear for his scheduled trial. On June 22, the court ordered his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his application for a stay of execution of the bail revocation order. The court also dismissed an application by Sowore seeking the judge's recusal from the case on grounds of alleged bias. On June 24, Justice Umar fixed June 30 for ruling on Sowore's motion seeking the restoration of his bail and the setting aside of the bench warrant issued against him.
The DSS has distanced itself from Sowore's remand, insisting that his detention resulted entirely from court proceedings and not from any action taken by the agency. The agency also disclosed that its Director-General, Adeola Ajayi, had ordered an investigation into the conduct of operatives captured in videos from the Federal High Court on June 22.
Sowore's detention has drawn widespread condemnation from civil society organisations. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Tinubu administration to "immediately and unconditionally release journalist Omoyele Sowore and drop all charges of criminal defamation and cybercrimes against him". SERAP expressed concern about "the escalating crackdown on the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association and media freedom, and the flagrant disregard for the rule of law by Nigerian authorities". The organisation also warned that Nigerian authorities "increasingly use criminal defamation laws and other repressive laws to crackdown on human rights and peaceful dissent".
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has also condemned the DSS's conduct, describing the incident at the Federal High Court as an embarrassment and a threat to Nigeria's democratic institutions. Other groups, including the #EndBadGovernance movement and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have also condemned Sowore's detention and alleged political trial.
As Sowore awaits the court's ruling on his bail application on June 30, 2026, the SDP and other civil society organisations continue to demand his immediate release, warning that his continued detention undermines democratic governance and signals a dangerous drift towards authoritarianism in Nigeria.
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