Outrage has trailed the reported arrest of a Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar, shortly after he hosted former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, during a recent visit to Kaduna.
Obi, who disclosed the development on Monday morning, described the incident as deeply troubling and a reflection of the growing concerns about the state of Nigeria’s democracy. According to him, the cleric was taken into custody by authorities not long after receiving him on Sunday.
The former Anambra State governor warned that such actions, if confirmed, signal a dangerous trend where citizens are targeted based on perceived political associations. He stressed that the increasing reports of harassment and intimidation of individuals undermine the core values of a democratic society.
“This development underscores the deeply troubling state of our nation, where freedom of speech and movement is increasingly threatened,” Obi said, adding that suppression of dissent must not be tolerated under any democratic system.
He called on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that the rule of law is upheld and that citizens’ fundamental rights are protected at all times.
Obi further urged those in positions of authority to refrain from actions capable of eroding public trust and weakening the nation’s already fragile democratic institutions, insisting that Nigeria must remain committed to justice, fairness, and the protection of civil liberties.
