ABUJA, Nigeria — The Revolutionary Socialist Movement has criticised the remand of Omoyele Sowore, the activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, describing the court action as an attack on democratic rights in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, and signed by Salako Kayode, its publicity secretary, the group condemned the Department of State Services (DSS) and the decision of Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja to revoke Sowore’s bail and order his detention at Kuje Correctional Centre.
The court action followed proceedings in a case linked to comments in which Sowore described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a “criminal.”
Justice Umar also dismissed an application by Sowore asking the judge to recuse himself from the case.
Tension at the Court
The group’s statement followed a tense scene at the Federal High Court, where operatives of the Department of State Services reportedly moved to arrest Sowore within the court premises after the judge ordered that he be detained until Wednesday.
Members of the African Action Congress and the Take It Back Movement reportedly resisted the move, leading to a standoff inside the court.
The Revolutionary Socialist Movement said the decision to revoke Sowore’s bail was unjustifiable, arguing that he had earlier been granted bail on self-recognition when the case began.
The group said the case should not be viewed only as a matter involving Sowore, but as part of a wider challenge to the rights of Nigerians to free expression, association and political dissent.
“Democracy cannot flourish where citizens are punished for expressing dissenting views. The right to criticise government policies and demand accountability is fundamental to any society that claims to be democratic,” the statement said.
Group Accuses State of Silencing Critics
The movement accused the Nigerian state of using arrests, prosecutions and court processes to intimidate government critics rather than addressing economic hardship, unemployment, poverty and insecurity.
It demanded the reversal of what it described as undemocratic actions against Sowore and called for an end to what it said was the persecution of activists and opposition voices.
The group also urged the authorities to respect constitutional rights, including freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
The Revolutionary Socialist Movement called on workers, youths, students, trade unions, civil society organisations and pro-democracy groups to oppose what it described as the criminalisation of dissent and democratic activism.
It warned that suppressing critical voices would deepen concerns about democracy and human rights in Nigeria, saying Nigerians’ aspirations for freedom, dignity and social justice could not be extinguished through repression.
