Atiku added that the activist was incarcerated for speaking against injustice, nepotism, and misrule.
By Kehinde Okeowo
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has said the arrest and continued detention of human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is a “shameful abuse of power”.
He made his feelings on the matter known in a recent post he shared on his official X page.
TheNiche had earlier reported that Sowore was allegedly taken into custody on Wednesday, after arriving at the NPF headquarters in Abuja to honour an invitation from the Inspector-General of Police monitoring unit over a petition.
The activist and politician was said to have arrived at the force headquarters with his lawyers and some activists, including members of the ‘Take It Back Movement’.
On Thursday, the former presidential candidate also alleged that police broke his arm while in detention.
Reacting to the development, Atiku argued that Sowore’s handling by the IGP monitoring team is “wrong and unlawful”.
The former Vice President added that the incident must be condemned by anyone who believes in justice.
He went on to say Sowore was picked up and manhandled because he spoke against injustice, nepotism, and misrule.
Speaking via his verified social media handle, Atiku wrote, “The treatment of Omoyele Sowore by the IGP Monitoring Team is a shameful abuse of power. It is wrong, unlawful, and must be condemned by all who believe in justice.
“Sowore’s only offence is speaking out against injustice, nepotism, and misrule. For that, he was reportedly attacked at dawn, beaten, had his arm broken, and sprayed with chemicals by policemen acting on petitions from the IGP’s own office.”
