Security operatives have arrested Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar, the Islamic Cleri who recently hosted Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi last Sunday in Kaduna State
But, authorities had yet to issue an official statement regarding the arrest or the circumstances surrounding it at the time of filing this report.
Obi, in a post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account early Tuesday, described the incident as a “troubling” development in Nigeria’s democratic space.
The former Governor of Anambra State said he had been informed that the religious leader, Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar, was arrested by authorities shortly after hosting him during a visit to Kaduna.
“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”, according to Obi.
He demanded for his release, called 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.
“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,” he added.
“I further called on relevant authorities to refrain from actions capable of weakening democratic institutions”, Obi stated.
