Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has condemned the arrest and detention of activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, by the Department of State Services (DSS), urging the agency to focus on tackling banditry and terrorism rather than targeting opposition voices.
Frank described Sowore’s arrest as a “national disgrace” and a dangerous signal of growing intolerance toward dissent in Nigeria’s democracy.
According to him, while terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements continue to threaten lives and destabilise communities across the country, security agencies appear increasingly preoccupied with pursuing critics of government policies and actions.
“It is unfortunate that the DSS seems more interested in going after opposition figures than confronting the bandits and terrorists terrorising innocent Nigerians. This arrest is clearly politically motivated,” Frank said.
He insisted that Sowore committed no offence warranting arrest or detention, arguing that the activist merely exercised his constitutional right to freedom of expression.
“The arrest of Omoyele Sowore is a disgrace and a show of shame by the DSS. It is nothing but political victimisation and a desperate attempt to intimidate opposition leaders and silence voices of dissent in the country,” he stated.
Frank alleged that the action against Sowore forms part of a broader strategy to intimidate opposition figures, journalists, civil society actors and government critics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the continued deployment of security agencies against dissenting voices demonstrates an increasing intolerance of criticism and democratic opposition.
“Nigeria remains a constitutional democracy. Criticising government policies is not a crime. If the government disagrees with Sowore’s views, it should respond with facts, performance and good governance, not intimidation and harassment,” Frank said.
The political activist noted that many of the concerns raised by critics of government—including worsening insecurity, economic hardship and poor governance—reflect the daily realities faced by millions of Nigerians.
“Is it not true that insecurity has worsened? Are Nigerians not facing unprecedented hardship? Why then should anyone be arrested for speaking the truth about the state of the nation?” he asked.
Frank maintained that no amount of intimidation, arrests or blackmail would prevent Nigerians from demanding accountability from elected leaders.
“No amount of intimidation by the DSS, the police or any other security agency will stop Nigerians from exercising their democratic rights. No amount of harassment will stop citizens from speaking against incompetence, failure and bad governance,” he declared.
He also urged the judiciary to remain independent and resist any attempt to turn the courts into instruments of political persecution.
“The judiciary must be careful not to allow itself to be used to undermine democracy. Nigerians are watching, and history will judge every institution by the role it plays at this critical moment,” he said.
Frank further called on the international community, particularly the United States and other democratic nations, to monitor developments in Nigeria closely, expressing concern over what he described as a shrinking democratic space and increasing hostility toward opposing views.
“The international community must not remain silent while activists, journalists and opposition leaders are subjected to intimidation and persecution. Democracy thrives on freedom of expression and respect for fundamental rights,” he said.
He reiterated his demand for the immediate and unconditional release of Sowore and urged security agencies to remain professional, impartial and focused on their constitutional mandate.
“The DSS must stay out of politics and concentrate on protecting national security. Omoyele Sowore must be released immediately and unconditionally,” Frank stated.