JUST IN: Peter Obi reacts to arrest of Islamic cleric Sheikh Umar

The 2023 presidential candidate for the Labour Party, Peter Obi has condemned the arrest of an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar in Kaduna State.

Reacting to the cleric’s arrest, Obi said this recent development in the Nigerian polity where individuals are arrested over their connection with opposition leaders must be nipped in the bud.

He also stated that Umar was arrested by the authorities in the state shortly after meeting with him in Kaduna on Sunday.

In an X post titled, “Troubling Developments in Our Polity that Must Be Nipped in the Bud”, Obi said this arrest underscores the troubling state of Nigeria’s democracy.

He said, “I have just been made aware early this morning that Revered religious leader, Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar has been arrested by authorities shortly after hosting me in Kaduna on Sunday.

“This development underscores the deeply troubling state of our nation and our democracy, where freedom of speech and movement is increasingly threatened, and where citizens and perceived political opponents face harassment and unnecessary persecution,” Obi said.

Also noting that this new trend must not be allowed to become the order of the day, the former Anambra State governor said the nation must defend freedom and free speech.

“This cannot be allowed to continue. This country must defend freedom and free speech, which are the hallmarks of every democratic society.

“Suppression and intimidation of dissent can never stand in a democratic society, and this Nigerian government must understand this fact,” Obi added.

He further urged those bent on undermining the already fragile democracy of the nation to stop and apply the rule of law and tenets of democracy in dealing with citizens.