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Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, says a cleric who recently hosted him in Kaduna State has been arrested.
In a post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, Obi said he was informed that the religious leader, Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar, was arrested shortly after hosting him during a visit to Kaduna on Sunday.
“I have just been made aware early this morning that revered religious leader, Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar, has been arrested by authorities shortly after hosting me in Kaduna on Sunday,” Obi said.
The former governor described the incident as a sign of a worsening climate for civil liberties, warning that it could undermine Nigeria’s democratic principles if not urgently addressed.
“This development underscores the deeply troubling state of our nation and our democracy, where freedom of speech and movement is increasingly threatened, and where citizens and perceived political opponents face harassment and unnecessary persecution. This cannot be allowed to continue,” he said.
Obi emphasised that safeguarding fundamental freedoms is essential in a democratic society and urged authorities to adhere strictly to the rule of law.
“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,” he added.
He further called on relevant authorities to avoid actions that could weaken democratic institutions.
“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.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities had not issued any official statement regarding the arrest or the circumstances surrounding it.
