The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has condemned the arrest of human rights activists, Dele Fanimo, insisting that the police should focus attention on their constitutional roles, rather than being used to pursue a matter bothering on alleged defamation.
Obi, in a statement, insisted that the action was a gross misuse of police powers and a grave assault on the principles of democracy and justice in Nigeria.
He added that the resort to police action, in this case, reeks of abuse of power and raises serious concerns about the independence and professionalism of the police as a civil force.
He stated: “I condemn this action in totality. It represents not only an attempt to intimidate opposing voices from questioning authority .
“It is also a worrying signal to every Nigerian who loves and values freedom of expression and dares to demand accountability and transparency.
“The Nigeria Police Force exists to protect the rights of citizens, not to suppress them.
“Defamation, by its nature, is a civil matter that should be addressed in court through due legal process in line with the dictates of the rule of law in a democracy.
“As a private citizen, former governor, and even today, I am frequently defamed, insulted, and lied about and against. Yet, I have never resorted to using the Nigerian police or filing reports to silence others.
“Those who feel otherwise should seek redress through the proper legal channels, not by weaponizing the police or abusing their access to authority or state power.
“The resort to police action, in this case, reeks of abuse of power and raises serious concerns about the independence and professionalism of the police as a civil force.
“I hereby request that Dele Farotimi should be released immediately and unconditionally. The police must recognize that their allegiance is to the Constitution and the people of Nigeria, not to narrow interests at the behest of those in power”.
