Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has strongly condemned the arrest of activist and presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, by the Department of State Services (DSS), describing it as a “national disgrace” and a dangerous assault on democracy.
Recall that a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered his remand at Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his application challenging the revocation of his bail.
Justice Mohammed Umar dismissed Sowore’s motion seeking the judge’s recusal over alleged bias, and adjourned the motion for stay of execution till June 24.
Frank, in a statement on Tuesday, demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Sowore, insisting that the activist had committed no offence warranting arrest or detention.
He alleged that the arrest was politically motivated and part of a broader agenda by the Federal Government to intimidate opposition figures, journalists, civil society actors and critics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the continued deployment of security agencies against dissenting voices is a clear indication that the government is becoming increasingly intolerant of criticism and democratic opposition.
“The arrest of Omoyele Sowore is a disgrace and a show of shame by the DSS. It is nothing but political victimisation and a desperate attempt to intimidate opposition leaders and silence voices of dissent in the country,” Frank said.
He maintained that Nigeria remains a constitutional democracy where citizens are guaranteed the right to freedom of expression, stressing that criticising government policies and actions does not constitute a crime.
“Sowore has not committed any offence. He merely exercised his constitutional right to speak on issues affecting Nigerians. If the government disagrees with his views, it should respond with facts and good governance, not harassment and intimidation,” he stated.
Frank, who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, argued that many of the issues raised by critics, including insecurity, economic hardship and poor governance, are realities confronting ordinary Nigerians daily.
“Is it not true that insecurity has worsened? Are Nigerians not facing unprecedented hardship? Why then should anyone be arrested for speaking the truth about the state of the nation?” he asked.
The political activist warned that no amount of intimidation, arrests or blackmail would prevent Nigerians from demanding accountability from those in power.
“No amount of intimidation by the DSS, the police or any other security agency will stop Nigerians from exercising their democratic rights. No amount of harassment will stop citizens from speaking against incompetence, failure and bad governance,” he declared.
Frank also questioned the priorities of the DSS, noting that while bandits and terrorists continue to threaten lives and communities across the country, security agencies appear more focused on pursuing critics of government.
“It is unfortunate that the DSS seems more interested in going after opposition figures than confronting the bandits and terrorists terrorising innocent Nigerians. This arrest is clearly politically motivated,” he said.
He further criticised the judiciary, urging judges to resist any attempt to use the courts as instruments of political persecution.
He said: “The judiciary must be careful not to allow itself to be used to undermine democracy. Nigerians are watching and history will judge every institution by the role it plays at this critical moment.”
Calling on the international community, particularly the United States and other democratic nations, to pay close attention to developments in Nigeria, Frank expressed concern over what he described as shrinking democratic space and growing intolerance of opposing views.
“The international community must not remain silent while activists, journalists and opposition leaders are subjected to intimidation and persecution. Democracy thrives on freedom of expression and respect for fundamental rights,” he insisted.
He reiterated his demand for Sowore’s immediate and unconditional release and urged security agencies to remain professional and non-partisan.
“The DSS must stay out of politics and focus on its constitutional responsibility of protecting national security. Omoyele Sowore must be released immediately and unconditionally,” Frank said.
