Press Statement of Workers and Youth Solidarity Network (WYSN – a network of community organisers, youth, and trade unionists and a platform of the Revolutionary Socialist Movement-RSM, nigerian section of ISp).
WYSN Condemns revocation of Omoyele Sowore’s bail, calls for mass protest against growing attacks on democratic rights
The Workers and Youth Solidarity Network (WYSN) strongly condemns the decision of Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court to revoke the bail of activist, journalist and the presidential candidate of the Africa Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, in the ongoing cybercrime and defamation case instituted against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to reports, the court revoked Sowore’s bail on June 16, 2026, citing his alleged absence from a scheduled court hearing. However, Sowore has publicly maintained that he was present at the court premises and was informed that the matter had been rescheduled. He further stated that he had formally communicated with the court through a letter regarding the circumstances surrounding the hearing.
WYSN views this development as a dangerous escalation in the persecution of a prominent critic of the Tinubu administration. The charges against Sowore arise from a social media post in August 2025 in which he allegedly described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a “criminal.” Whether one agrees with Sowore’s opinion or not, the use of state institutions to criminalize political speech and dissent represents a grave threat to democratic freedoms and constitutional rights.
The revocation of Sowore’s bail raises serious concerns about the independence of the judiciary and the increasing use of legal processes to intimidate opposition voices, activists, journalists, trade unionists and youth campaigners. Democracy cannot flourish where citizens are punished for expressing political opinions or criticizing those in power.
This action comes amid worsening economic hardship, insecurity, mass unemployment, rising poverty and growing public dissatisfaction with government policies. Rather than addressing the suffering of millions of Nigerians, the government appears increasingly focused on suppressing dissent and silencing critics.
WYSN therefore demands:
1. The immediate reversal of the order revoking Omoyele Sowore’s bail.
2. The withdrawal of all politically motivated charges against him.
3. An end to the harassment, intimidation and persecution of activists, journalists and opposition figures.
4. Respect for constitutional rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful protest.
5. An end to the growing authoritarian attacks on democratic rights under the Tinubu administration.
We call on workers, youth, students, civil society organizations, pro-democracy groups, trade unions and all defenders of democratic rights to mobilize for peaceful mass protests and solidarity actions across the country to resist the shrinking democratic space and defend fundamental freedoms.
History has shown that democratic rights are never secured by silence. The Nigerian people must unite to oppose every attempt to criminalize dissent and transform the country into a state where criticism of those in power becomes an offence.
An injury to one is an injury to all.
