Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has raised concerns over the alleged arrest of Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani, who hosted him in Kaduna on Sunday.
Obi made this known in a brief statement shared on his X handle on Tuesday morning, titled “Troubling Developments in Our Polity that Must Be Nipped in the Bud.”
He claimed that the cleric, whom he described as a revered religious leader, was arrested shortly after hosting him, though he did not specify which security agency was responsible or the reason behind the arrest.
The former Anambra State governor said the development reflects a worrying trend in the country, where freedom of speech and movement are increasingly under threat, and individuals—particularly perceived political opponents—are subjected to harassment and undue persecution.
He stressed that such actions should not be allowed to continue and called for the protection of fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and association.
Obi also demanded the immediate release of the cleric.
“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.
“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 said.
