The Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) has hailed the release of Omoyele Sowore — former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) and one of Nigeria’s most outspoken pro-democracy voices — after spending over 48 hours in police custody.
In a strongly worded statement dated August 10, 2025, the SPN described Sowore’s freedom as “a testament to the unstoppable force of mass resistance and collective action,” crediting the victory to sustained public outrage and nationwide pressure mounted on the Bola Tinubu-led administration.
The party applauded the swift mobilization of Sowore’s supporters, civil society organizations, and particularly the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), whose decisive condemnation of the arrest and demand for Sowore’s immediate release helped amplify the pressure.
> “This is a victory that underlines the power of people’s action,” SPN declared. “Sowore’s release did not come as a favour from the government — it was forced by the determined protests of his comrades and the solidarity of other democratic forces.”
While celebrating the release, the SPN condemned the arrest as part of a disturbing and growing trend of state repression, intimidation, and attacks on civil liberties under the current administration.
The party pointed to the case of Andrew Emelieze — a federal civil servant and former Oyo State chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) — who was held for over 10 days by the Department of State Services (DSS) for demanding payment of the newly approved N70,000 minimum wage and outstanding wage awards.
Similarly, SPN recalled last year’s treason charges against activists Michael Adaramoye and Daniel Akande, whose only “crime” was participating in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.
Rejecting what it called “mere press statements” as insufficient, SPN urged the NLC to immediately declare a 24-hour general strike and mobilize nationwide mass protests.
According to the party, such an action must demand:
An end to the harassment, detention, and trumped-up charges against activists, journalists, and political opponents.
Dropping all charges against Andrew Emelieze, Michael Adaramoye Lenin, Daniel Akande, and others.
Reversal of petrol price hikes and other anti-poor policies.
Full and immediate implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage across all states and sectors.
SPN described this moment as “a turning point for Nigeria’s working class”, urging that the same solidarity which secured Sowore’s release must now be directed toward a broader struggle against poverty, repression, and inequality.
The statement ended with a call to build a pan-Nigerian workers’ political party — one rooted in socialist principles, committed to public ownership of key sectors under democratic workers’ control, and determined to place the welfare of the masses above the greed of the ruling elite.
Signed by Acting National Chairperson Bamigboye Abiodun (Abbey Trotsky) and National Secretary Chinedu Bosah, the SPN reaffirmed its resolve:
> “Only a government of the working people, democratically planned and socialist in character, can dismantle the machinery of oppression, end mass suffering, and build a truly free Nigeria.”
PIONEER NEWS 