TIB Condemns Lawfare Against Presidential Candidate, Sowore As Killings, Abductions Persist In Plateau, Niger

PRESS STATEMENT

DSS Must Immediately Withdraw Sowore’s Case

TIB Condemns Lawfare Against Presidential Candidate, Sowore As Killings, Abductions Persist In Plateau, Niger

September 29, 2026

The Take It Back Movement (TIB) demands the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the case instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS) against human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.

The demand follows Monday’s proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the DSS failed to produce the expected witness who was to testify in Sowore’s ongoing defence. Sowore’s counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, told the court that if the DSS failed to produce the witness at the next hearing, the defence would seek an order compelling the DSS Director-General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, to appear and testify. The case was subsequently adjourned to October 2, 2026.

For us, the bigger issue goes beyond the courtroom. This case raises fundamental questions about the priorities of a government that is expected to protect citizens, uphold democratic participation and deploy public resources in the interest of the Nigerian people. Sowore is a presidential candidate preparing to participate in the 2027 election, and TIB believes that the continued prosecution of a prominent opposition figure over cyberbullying risks becoming a distraction from the far more urgent challenges confronting millions of Nigerians.

At a time when Nigerians are being killed and displaced in different parts of the country, the resources and institutional attention of the state should be directed towards protecting lives and preventing violence. In Plateau State, fresh attacks have continued in communities across Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bokkos and Mangu despite the imposition of a dusk-to-dawn curfew. At least seven people were killed in separate attacks between September 23 and 24, while earlier attacks had also claimed more lives.

In Niger State, hundreds of residents abducted during coordinated attacks in the Borgu area in August were still being held captive more than a month later, with residents protesting over the lack of progress in securing their release. The state has also witnessed the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody, a development that has triggered investigations and the suspension of security personnel.

These are the realities confronting Nigerians. Families are losing loved ones. Communities are being attacked. Farmers are afraid to return to their farms. Citizens are being abducted and held for weeks. Yet, the government continues to devote significant institutional resources to a criminal case against a presidential candidate whose political activities are an established part of the democratic process.

TIB considers this a serious misplacement of priorities. Every naira spent prosecuting a case is public money. Every hour spent by security agencies pursuing political dissent is an hour that could be devoted to intelligence gathering, crime prevention, protecting vulnerable communities and rescuing abducted Nigerians. The Nigerian people deserve to know why state institutions appear capable of pursuing a political opposition figure with sustained attention while communities continue to face deadly attacks.

The government cannot continue to speak about democracy while democratic participation is subjected to unnecessary pressure through the machinery of the state.

Sowore’s presidential bid should not be treated as a security threat. His participation in the 2027 election is part of the constitutional democratic process, and any criminal proceedings against him must not be allowed to become an instrument for interfering with that participation.

The Take It Back Movement therefore demands:

1. The Tinubu regime must immediately and unconditionally withdraw the case against Omoyele Sowore.
2. The regime must stop using security institutions and criminal proceedings in ways that interfere with Sowore’s political participation ahead of the 2027 general election.
3. Immediate dismissal of the DSS DG, Tosin Ajayi.
4. The Federal Government must redirect greater resources and institutional attention towards preventing killings, rescuing abducted Nigerians and protecting communities across Plateau, Niger and other parts of the country affected by insecurity.

Signed:

Juwon Sanyaolu
National Coordinator
Take It Back Movement