RULAAC Condemns Sowore’s Brief Detention, Urges Tinubu To Focus On Addressing Hardship, Corruption, Security Challenges

The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has condemned the detention of Omoyele Sowore at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport upon his return from the U.S. to Nigeria on Sunday.

Sowore was briefly detained at the airport by the Nigeria Immigration Service over his inclusion in a wanted list of the secret police, Department of State Services (DSS). His passport was seized but later released to him following his release.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director Okechukwu Nwanguma on Sunday, the human rights advocacy organisation, described the incident as “deeply condemnable”.

According to the organisation, it “illustrates the Tinubu administration’s broader intent to silence dissent, stifle civic engagement, and instill fear among the populace.”

According to RULAAC, Sowore’s detention is “part of a troubling trend where innocent, patriotic Nigerians are arrested not for any crimes, but for exercising their constitutional rights to dissent and advocate for accountable governance.”

The organisation stressed that instead of suppressing activism, “these actions are likely to incite greater resistance and potentially destabilize the political landscape.”

RULAAC further warned that such oppressive actions by the government could “counteract the democratic progress that has been achieved through significant struggle.”

The organisation called on President Bola Tinubu to “immediately release Sowore and all others detained for their peaceful advocacy.”

It urged the administration to stop its “oppressive tactics against activists” and focus on the “pressing issues of economic hardship, corruption, and security challenges facing the nation.”

RULAAC emphasised the need for the government to prioritise addressing the country’s challenges over silencing dissent.

“Instead of quelling activism, these actions are likely to incite greater resistance and potentially destabilize the political landscape, counteracting the democratic progress that has been achieved through significant struggle,” it said.