Timi Frank condemns arrest of Omoyele Sowore, demands immediate, unconditional release

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has condemned, in strong terms, the unlawful arrest and detention of human rights activist and pro-democracy campaigner, Omoyele Sowore, by the Nigeria Police.

“We strongly condemn this reckless action as an assault on democracy, freedom of speech, and the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Frank said in a statement in Abuja.

“The arrest of Sowore is not only unjustifiable but represents a dangerous slide towards authoritarianism in a country that claims to operate under democratic principles.”

According to him, it is unacceptable that in 2025, Nigerians are still being harassed, intimidated, and detained for peacefully expressing dissenting opinions or calling for good governance.

“The right to protest, to assemble, and to hold government accountable are fundamental pillars of any true democracy,” he said. “Suppressing these rights through intimidation and arbitrary arrests is a betrayal of the democratic promises made to the Nigerian people.”

Frank who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and all relevant authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Sowore and other peaceful protesters arrested in Abuja and across the country.

“Tinubu’s administration must demonstrate commitment to the rule of law and respect for human rights by ending the culture of fear and intimidation.

“Nigeria is currently facing serious security, economic, and governance challenges that require constructive engagement, not repression,” he said.

He urged the government to focus its energy on addressing pressing national issues instead of silencing voices of dissent.

He said: “It is unbecoming of this administration to intimidate and oppress citizens in a democratic period like this.

“We are not under military rule where dissent is a crime. This is supposed to be a democracy that Nigeria is practising.

“Yet, under this administration, we are witnessing dictatorship, oppression, and the suppression of free speech.

“This is why the international community cannot take Nigeria or this administration seriously.

“There are so many serious security issues in the country. We expect our security agencies to channel their energy towards arresting bandits, criminals, and Boko Haram members, not innocent citizens who are peacefully protesting against bad governance.

“If the administration were doing what is right and keeping its campaign promises to Nigerians, nobody would criticise or take to the streets.

“Arresting unarmed citizens anytime there’s a protest is totally wrong and must stop.”

He called on the National Human Rights Commission, civil society groups, and the international community, including the United States Government, the European Union, and the United Nations Human Rights Council, to intervene and prevail on the Nigerian government to respect the rights of its citizens.

He said: “We saw recently how there were massive protests in America and other parts of the world against Donald Trump’s administration.

“Yet, Trump or the American government never tear-gassed or arrested peaceful protesters.

“That is what true democracy looks like. True leaders, like Trump in that instance, understand that citizens have the right to criticise their government.

“Nigeria has now become a country where the government oppresses its citizens. This administration has turned dictatorial and despotic.

“While insecurity ravages the nation, they focus on intimidating citizens instead of fighting corruption.

“In this government, people who loot the country are rewarded. They negotiate with bandits and criminals while they harass, intimidate, and arrest peaceful protesters.

“The same thing is happening to journalists. Today in Nigeria, journalists have no press freedom. This administration is now worse than some military regimes of the past.

“They also intimidate and oppress members of the opposition political parties, forcing people to join their party or face arrest and prosecution.

“We are using this opportunity to call on the international community, especially the American government, to help rescue Nigerians from the hands of this administration.”