“This Cannot Be Allowed To Continue”, Obi Condemns  Reported Arrest Of Kaduna Cleric

By James Williams

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi, has condemned the purported arrest of Ahmad Umar, a cleric who hosted him in Kaduna during his visit to the state on Sunday

Obi, who was also the Labour Party standard bearer in the 2023 presidential election, made the allegation that Umar was arrested hours after he hosted him in a post on his verified X page on Tuesday.

“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.

“This cannot be allowed to continue.” the politician wrote on his X page.

The ex-Anambra governor said Umar’s arrest was  undemocratic as it undermines the rule of law.

He added that government must allow people to air their opinions regardless of their political party or affiliation stressing that muzzling  the opposition is nothing but dictatorship.

Obi said, “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, as of the time of filing this report, it was unclear which  law enforcement agency made the purported arrest of Umar  for Obi did not state this in his X post.

Reacting to the claim by the ADC chieftain, the Kaduna  state police command when contacted by our correspondent said it’s not aware of such development.