The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed strong disapproval over the detention of pro-democracy activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, demanding his immediate and unconditional release by security authorities. The labour union described the arrest as an affront to democratic values and a violation of fundamental human rights, warning that such actions pose a serious threat to civil liberties in the country.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the NLC said Sowore’s continuous incarceration without clear justification was unacceptable in a constitutional democracy like Nigeria. The union maintained that dissenting voices must be protected and not criminalised, stressing that freedom of expression remains a cornerstone of any functional democratic society.
According to the Congress, while it is not opposed to the rule of law or due legal process, there must be clear respect for individual rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), particularly those relating to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, and movement. It warned that Nigeria cannot afford a return to the dark days of authoritarian repression where citizens were routinely silenced through state power.
The NLC further noted that Sowore’s activism, though sometimes controversial, reflects the frustration of many Nigerians, especially youths, over issues ranging from bad governance to human rights abuses and economic hardship. It added that rather than resorting to arrests and intimidation, government institutions should engage more in dialogue and provide platforms for peaceful engagement.
Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate and outspoken critic of government policies, has been repeatedly arrested in recent years over charges critics believe are politically motivated. His latest arrest, according to sources, came during a protest where he was reportedly addressing citizens on governance and constitutional rights.
Labour leaders cautioned that the growing trend of detaining activists, journalists, and other voices of dissent could damage Nigeria’s reputation internationally and undermine public trust in law enforcement agencies. They urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to uphold the tenets of democracy and immediately intervene in securing Sowore’s release, while ensuring that security agencies operate within the bounds of legality.
As public pressure mounts, several civil society organisations and rights groups have joined the NLC in condemning the arrest, vowing to continue peaceful advocacy until Sowore regains his freedom. The matter, they insist, goes beyond the individual and speaks to the broader fight for justice, accountability, and the right of every Nigerian to speak without fear of reprisal.
