The Ohanaeze Youth Council Worldwide has called on the Federal Government to immediately withdraw all charges against the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress in the 2023 election, Omoyele Sowore, describing the legal action against him as unjustified and detrimental to Nigeria’s democracy.
The group, led by its National President, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, made the demand during a press briefing in Owerri, the Imo State capital, following the remand of Sowore by a Federal High Court.
Igboayaka expressed concern over what he described as the growing use of state institutions to suppress opposition figures, warning that such actions could erode public confidence in democratic governance and the nation’s judicial system.
According to him, the judiciary must remain independent and should not be perceived as an instrument for settling political scores.
He alleged that recent developments surrounding Sowore’s case had raised questions about the neutrality of the courts and urged Justice Mohammad Umar, who is handling the matter, to recuse himself in order to preserve the integrity of the judicial process.
The OYC president further accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of paying undue attention to political disputes while critical national challenges such as insecurity, kidnapping, banditry and economic hardship continue to affect millions of Nigerians.
He maintained that the country’s democratic institutions would be strengthened if dissenting voices were allowed to express their opinions without fear of intimidation or prosecution.
Igboayaka also appealed to the Department of State Services and the Attorney-General of the Federation to review the matter in the interest of justice and national stability.
He said, “Nigeria is facing enormous security and economic challenges. The focus of government should be on addressing these pressing issues rather than engaging in actions that may be interpreted as targeting opposition personalities.”
The youth leader warned that any action capable of undermining confidence in democratic institutions could have far-reaching consequences for national unity and political stability.
He therefore urged the Federal Government to discontinue the case against Sowore and channel its energies towards tackling the country’s numerous socio-economic and security challenges.
The group insisted that protecting democratic freedoms and ensuring fairness in the administration of justice remain essential to the survival and progress of the nation.
