Protesters Demand Sowore’s Prosecution: A Crackdown on Free Speech or a Justified Callout?
In a charged atmosphere in Abuja this week, a coalition of protesters under the banner of Concerned Christian Youth Forum (CCYF) and other unnamed groups staged a public demonstration, calling for the arrest and prosecution of Nigerian human rights activist Omoyele Sowore.
Their reason? Sowore’s continued criticism of political heavyweights like Peter Obi, Bukola Saraki, and others—actions they labelled as “cyberbullying,” “defamation,” and “social sabotage.”
With placards reading “Mass Rally Against Fake Activists” and “Opposition Rejects Sowore And His Minions,” the demonstrators accused the SaharaReporters founder of weaponizing activism for personal vendettas under the guise of free speech.
The Accusations: Patriot or Provocateur?
Speaking at the protest, one of the organizers alleged that Sowore had moved from patriotism to reckless character assassination.
“What began as a promising voice of dissent has now descended into a toxic cocktail of arrogance, misinformation, and blackmail,” the speaker declared.
He accused Sowore of launching baseless attacks against Peter Obi and Saraki, branding him the “Blackmailer-in-Chief” and demanding immediate prosecution for cyber libel, incitement, and calculated defamation.
While the protesters claim to be acting in national interest, their rhetoric and threats raise serious concerns about the shrinking space for dissent and civic engagement in Nigeria.
Tensions Rise: “We May Take the Law Into Our Own Hands”
In a disturbing escalation, James Adama Paul, convener of the CCYF, issued a thinly veiled threat against Sowore. Referring to Sowore’s history of supporting content creators allegedly targeted by religious leaders, Paul warned:
“We will no longer tolerate it. It’s either he stops or we may be forced to take matters into our own hands.”
This statement, dangerously suggestive of vigilante justice, reveals an undercurrent of intolerance toward dissenting voices in the religious and political spaces.
Paul further accused Sowore of obstructing law enforcement by facilitating bail for arrested critics of Christian clergy, citing the case of Olumide Ogunsayo (aka Seaking) as one example.
Political and Religious Allies Close Ranks Against Sowore
According to SaharaReporters, this isn’t an isolated attack. Various factions of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) including those aligned with Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu have allegedly threatened physical violence against Sowore and even other activists like VeryDarkMan.
In a now-deleted social media post, Akinteye Babtee Babatunde, a NANS Senate President, accused Sowore of attempting to “set Nigeria on fire” to maintain international funding and declared that NANS must take “bold actions” to stop him.
Other NANS members echoed this sentiment, with veiled and sometimes direct calls for confrontation, adding fuel to an already volatile situation.
Sowore Responds: “They Want to Silence Me”
Sowore, undeterred, has accused a coalition of political, religious, and student leadership figures of plotting to silence him. He named the Inspector General of Police, Seyi Tinubu, and unnamed “Arewa Twitter mobs” among those allegedly targeting his life.
“The illegal Inspector-General of Police is after me! Prosperity Pastors are after me! NANS thugs are on my case! Even Mr. Peter Obi and his mob want me gone!” Sowore posted on social media.
His activism rooted in exposing corruption, police brutality, and the failings of Nigeria’s education system has earned him praise abroad but severe backlash at home. Arrested in 2019 for calling for a #RevolutionNow protest, he’s been a frequent target of state apparatus ever since.
Free Speech on Trial
This unfolding drama raises an important question: Is Nigeria criminalizing activism and whistleblowing under the cloak of order and morality?
Critics argue that Sowore’s brand of fearless journalism is exactly what a democratic nation needs. Supporters of the protests, however, believe he’s crossed the line from truth-telling to character assassination.
But if activist voices are threatened with arrest or worse simply for expressing dissent then what remains of Nigeria’s already fragile democracy?
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Protesters Demand Sowore’s Prosecution: A Crackdown on Free Speech or a Justified Callout?