Timi Frank Slams Sowore’s Arrest Calls For His Immediate Release

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Timi Frank, has condemned the arrest and detention of human rights activist Omoyele Sowore by the Nigeria Police Force, describing it as unlawful and undemocratic.

In a statement issued in Abuja, Frank said the action was an attack on democracy and a violation of the constitutional rights to free speech and peaceful assembly. He said it was disappointing that Nigerians were still being harassed and detained in 2025 for expressing dissent or demanding accountability from government.

Frank noted that peaceful protest and criticism are vital parts of a democratic society, warning that suppressing these rights through arrests and intimidation pushes the country toward authoritarian rule.

He urged President Bola Tinubu, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and other authorities to order Sowore’s immediate and unconditional release, along with other protesters detained across the country.

Frank, who also serves as the United Liberation Movement for West Papua’s Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, said the government must show genuine respect for human rights and end what he called the culture of fear that has crept into public life.

According to him, the administration should direct its attention to solving pressing national problems such as insecurity and economic hardship rather than clamping down on citizens who demand better governance. He said a government that delivers on its promises would not need to silence dissenting voices.

Frank described the crackdown on protesters as an act of dictatorship inconsistent with democratic principles. He said security agencies should focus on combating terrorists, bandits, and criminals instead of targeting peaceful citizens.

He added that Nigeria’s current approach to dissent damages its reputation globally and shows disregard for basic freedoms. Comparing the situation to protests abroad, he said democratic nations allow public demonstrations without resorting to arrests or intimidation.

Frank urged the National Human Rights Commission, civil society groups, and the international community — including the United States, the European Union, and the United Nations — to intervene and pressure the Nigerian government to respect civil rights.

He said Nigeria risks sliding into despotism if it continues to reward corrupt officials and persecute activists, journalists, and opposition figures. Frank called for a renewed commitment to justice and freedom, saying citizens deserve a government that listens, not one that silences dissent.