Obi alleges arrest of cleric who hosted him in Kaduna

Former Anambra state governor, Peter Obi, has alleged that a Kaduna-based cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar, was arrested by authorities shortly after hosting him on Sunday.

In a post on his X page on Tuesday, Obi said he was informed of the arrest early in the morning, describing the development as a threat to democratic freedoms.

He said the incident reflects “a deeply troubling state” of the nation, where freedom of speech and movement are increasingly under pressure, and where perceived political opponents face harassment.

Obi warned that such actions undermine the rule of law and democratic principles, stressing that suppression and intimidation have no place in a democratic society.

“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. This cannot be allowed to continue,” he wrote.

“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.

“I respectfully call on all those bent on undermining our already fragile democracy to please stop and apply the rule of law and tenets of democracy in dealing with citizens.”

However, the Kaduna State Police Command said it was not aware of the alleged arrest. The command’s spokesperson, Mansir Hassan, said he had not been briefed on the matter.

“I am just hearing it from you. Go and make your findings,” he told The Cable.

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