Ejimakor Says Sowore’s Prosecution Could Damage Nigeria’s Democratic Reputation

Aloy Ejimakor, the legal consultant to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has described the prosecution of the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, as terrible optics ahead of the 2027 election.

In a post via his 𝕏 handle, Ejimakor recalled the political trial and conviction of Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the 1960s, which he said helped spark a crisis that eventually plunged Nigeria into a military coup and a devastating civil war, reports say.

“The use of such heavy-handed tactics against political opponents close to an election cycle is a dangerous gamble,” Ejimakor said.

He also urged President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the wisdom of prosecuting Sowore over something as trivial as a social media post.

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“It’s a dangerous bet to engage in such heavy-handed tactics against political opponents around an election cycle,” he said.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, Lateef Fagbemi’s surprise appearance in court on July 27 was a lost opportunity to apply the brakes.

Instead of stepping up the state’s attack on a live presidential candidate, the Attorney-General should next time go back to court and enter a nolle prosequi and end the case.

“Making a presidential candidate go through trial so close to the general election makes terrible democratic optics.

It breathes weakness and fear of opposition rather than confidence in democracy. “It is time to close the case and safeguard our democratic stability.”