Peter Obi, chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Labour Party ex-presidential candidate, said Ahmad Umar, a cleric who hosted him in Kaduna last Sunday, has been arrested.
However, the cleric himself said that he was not arrested or mistreated, saying he was only invited for questioning and has since been released.
Obi, in a post on his X page yesterday, said: “I have just been made aware early this morning that Revered religious leader, Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar has been arrested by authorities shortly after hosting me in Kaduna on Sunday.
“This development underscores the deeply troubling state of our nation and our democracy, where freedom of speech and movement is increasingly threatened, and where citizens and perceived political opponents face harassment and unnecessary persecution.
“This cannot be allowed to continue.”
Obi did not say which law enforcement agency arrested Umar.
He, however, added that the reported arrest undermines rule of law tenets in a democracy.
“This country must defend freedom and free speech, which are the hallmarks of every democratic society. Suppression and intimidation of dissent can never stand in a democratic society, and this Nigerian government must understand this fact,” he said.
“I respectfully call on all those bent on undermining our already fragile democracy to please stop and apply the rule of law and tenets of democracy in dealing with citizens.”
The Kaduna state police command however said it is not aware of the arrest of the religious leader.
Mansir Hassan, the command’s spokesperson, said that he had not been briefed.
“I am just hearing it from you. Go and make your findings,” Hassan said.
Reacting to the report, the cleric Ahmad Umar denied that he was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) following a visit by former presidential candidate Peter Obi.
In a viral video, Umar insisted that he was not arrested or mistreated, saying he was only invited for questioning and has since been released.
He said, “I come today to correct a false report being circulated in some quarters. I was not detained by the DSS. I was invited for questioning. I cooperated fully, and I was released. I am free, safe and well.
“I want to appeal to all our supporters and to all citizens of Kaduna State: remain calm, remain peaceful and remain law-abiding citizens. No one should take the law into their hands. No one should create disorder in the name of loyalty”.