Release Sowore, Focus On Bandits, Timi Frank Tells DSS

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately release activist Omoyele Sowore, and redirect its attention to combating bandits and terrorists whom he said continued to threaten lives and communities across Nigeria.

Frank made the demand in a statement released on Tuesday, and personally signed by him as ULMWP Ambassador (East Africa and Middle East) and Senior Advisor, Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA, in which he strongly condemned Sowore’s arrest and detention, describing it as a “national disgrace” and a dangerous assault on democracy.

The political activist said Sowore had committed no offence warranting arrest or detention and insisted that his continued incarceration amounted to political victimisation.

His reaction followed a recent ruling by a Federal High Court Judge in Abuja ordering Sowore’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his application challenging the revocation of his bail.

Justice Mohammed Umar had dismissed Sowore’s motion seeking the judge’s recusal over alleged bias and adjourned hearing on the motion for stay of execution until June 24.

Frank alleged that the arrest was politically motivated and part of a broader agenda by the Federal Government to intimidate opposition figures, journalists, civil society actors and critics ahead of the 2027 general election.

According to him, the continued use of security agencies against dissenting voices suggests that the government is becoming increasingly intolerant of criticism and democratic opposition.

He maintained that Nigeria remained a constitutional democracy where citizens are guaranteed the right to freedom of expression and stressed that criticism of government policies and actions does not constitute a crime.

“Sowore has not committed any offence. He merely exercised his constitutional right to speak on issues affecting Nigerians. If the government disagrees with his views, it should respond with facts and good governance, not harassment and intimidation,” he stated.

“Is it not true that insecurity has worsened? Are Nigerians not facing unprecedented hardship? Why then should anyone be arrested for speaking the truth about the state of the nation?” he asked.

The activist warned that intimidation, arrests and blackmail would not prevent citizens from demanding accountability from elected leaders and public officials.

“No amount of intimidation by the DSS, the police or any other security agency will stop Nigerians from exercising their democratic rights. No amount of harassment will stop citizens from speaking against incompetence, failure and bad governance,” he declared.

“It is unfortunate that the DSS seems more interested in going after opposition figures than confronting the bandits and terrorists terrorising innocent Nigerians. This arrest is clearly politically motivated,” he said.

He also criticised the judiciary and urged judges not to allow the courts to be used as instruments of political persecution.

Frank called on the international community, particularly the United States and other democratic nations, to pay close attention to developments in Nigeria.

“The international community must not remain silent while activists, journalists and opposition leaders are subjected to intimidation and persecution. Democracy thrives on freedom of expression and respect for fundamental rights,” he insisted.

“The DSS must stay out of politics and focus on its constitutional responsibility of protecting national security. Omoyele Sowore must be released immediately and unconditionally,” Frank said.

He maintained that democracy can only flourish when citizens are free to express their opinions without fear of harassment, intimidation or persecution and warned that any attempt to suppress dissent would further weaken public confidence in democratic institutions.