Presidency Cautions Sowore Against Street Protests on Judicial Matters
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, has advised activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, to refrain from using street protests to address matters currently before the court.
Chief Dare noted that issues of justice are best resolved through judicial processes rather than public demonstrations.
Reacting to Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja led by Sowore, the presidential aide described the demonstrations as “counterproductive” and detrimental to the rule of law in a post on his verified X handle, @SundayDareSD.
“Protests, threats, attempts at mob actions, and inflammatory rhetoric do not aid the judicial process. Instead, they hinder it, creating unnecessary tension and undermining the rule of law,” he stated.
Mr. Dare stated that Sowore’s “past time of PR agitation and seeking public sympathy to influence judicial processes is outdated and counterproductive in a modern democracy,” emphasising that such conduct would not be condoned in any society governed by the rule of law.
“You cannot employ protest and civil unrest to demand the release of someone accused of terrorism and whose case is still in court. Not even in America,” the Presidential aide said.
Mr. Dare clarified that the case of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), long predates President Bola Tinubu’s administration and remains strictly under judicial consideration.
According to him, “This administration respects the independence of the courts and will not interfere in ongoing legal proceedings.”
While reaffirming the President’s commitment to justice and constitutional order, the Presidential aide cautioned that freedom and democracy “have their limits,” and “testing these limits will invite the full application of the laws as clearly stated.
“The judiciary should be let alone to do its work without interference.”
“President Tinubu remains committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice is served fairly and transparently,” Mr. Dare added.
