The party described the detention of Sowore at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Sunday morning as a “blatant act of intimidation”, saying it is a reminder of the Bola Tinubu regime’s growing intolerance for dissenting voices.
The African Action Congress (AAC) has condemned the “unwarranted arrest and harassment of our National Leader, Comrade Omoyele Sowore, earlier today (Sunday)”.
The party described the detention of Sowore at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Sunday morning as a “blatant act of intimidation”, saying it is a reminder of the Bola Tinubu regime’s growing intolerance for dissenting voices.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), was taken into custody by personnel from the Nigeria Immigration Service upon his arrival at the airport.
The activist is on the watchlist of the Department of State Services (DSS), the country’s secret police.
Lamenting the situation in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Femi Adeyeye, on Sunday, the AAC said, “Arriving the country, our leader was arrested by immigration officers on the orders of the State Security Service (SSS) who had plans to detain and ferry him to Abuja as a leaked memo from the headquarters of the service has instructed.
“We demand that the regime channel its energy and resources of the country towards addressing the crippling economic hardship inflicted upon Nigerians by its detrimental policies, rather than silencing opposition voices.
“The AAC will not stand idly while our leaders are targeted for speaking truth to power. We are on high alert and will vigorously resist any further arrests or intimidation attempts.
“We demand an immediate end to this harassment and a commitment to upholding democratic principles and fundamental human rights.”
“We also demand again the unconditional release of all protesters in detention,” it added.
The AAC reiterated its “unwavering dedication to advocating for the rights and welfare of the Nigerian people, even in the face of adversity”.