NLC DEMANDS IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF SOWORE, CONDEMNS ARREST AS STATE HARASSMENT

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly condemned the arrest of civil rights activist Omoyele Sowore, describing the action as a disturbing pattern of harassment and abuse of power by state authorities.

In a statement issued on Thursday by its president, Joe Ajaero, the NLC called for Sowore’s immediate and unconditional release, warning that his continued detention represents a serious threat to democratic freedoms in the country.

The Congress expressed concern over reports that Sowore may have sustained injuries during his latest arrest, and described the frequent targeting of the activist as unacceptable.

“If Sowore has offended any big man or woman in government or has in any way offended the law, they should be bold enough to explore legal options, such as going to court—not resort to this level of harassment,” Ajaero stated.

He added that the freedoms of speech and association are fundamental rights enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution, and the government must be seen to respect them without exception.

Warning against growing state repression, Ajaero noted that arbitrary arrests, such as Sowore’s, pose a danger to all citizens.

“If the state can detain Sowore today without due process, then no journalist, trade unionist, activist, or citizen is safe tomorrow,” he said. “We cannot allow Nigeria to slide back into the dark days of dictatorship, where fear replaces freedom and dissent is crushed with brute force.”

The NLC further cautioned that such actions tarnish the image of the government both at home and abroad.

“It soils the image of the government before its citizens and the international community when it behaves in a way that suggests it is above the law,” Ajaero said.

He emphasized that Sowore has come to represent a moral voice that cannot be silenced or ignored and warned that government must not pick and choose when to obey the law.

The NLC demanded not only Sowore’s release but also an end to the harassment of activists and all voices of dissent.

The statement concluded with a call for full adherence to the rule of law and reaffirmed the union’s solidarity with all victims of state repression.

“Nigeria should not descend into a police state. Strengthened justice and democracy is good for all,” the Congress declared.