By Luminous Jannamike
ABUJA—2027 presidential hopeful and chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately order the release of the international passport of activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, describing its continued seizure as an abuse of power and a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic freedoms.
Olawepo-Hashim made the call, yesterday, in Abuja while receiving Sowore during a meeting with PDP chairmen in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
The meeting brought together party leaders and pro-democracy actors who spoke at the event.
Olawepo-Hashim condemned what he described as sustained persecution of Sowore for speaking truth to power, noting that the prolonged seizure of his passport had effectively punished him without conviction and denied him basic rights, including freedom of movement and family life.
He warned that democracies collapsed when dissent was criminalised, stressing that the protection of opposing voices remained a non-negotiable pillar of democratic governance.
He argued that the use of state power to intimidate critics weakened institutions and erodes public confidence in government.
He, therefore, urged President Tinubu to act decisively by ordering the immediate release of Sowore’s passport in the interest of justice, the rule of law and respect for fundamental human rights.
Reflecting on their shared history, Olawepo-Hashim recalled pro-democracy struggles dating back to 1989, when Sowore was one of his protégés.
He said the meeting was not a nostalgic exercise but a reminder of the sacrifices that secured Nigeria’s democratic space and the responsibility to defend it.
According to him, Sowore’s courage, consistency and refusal to bow to intimidation have made him a symbol of principled resistance and a rallying point for young Nigerians seeking a new political order built on accountability and justice.
“Nigeria is worth fighting for, and meaningful change is possible, no matter how difficult,” Olawepo-Hashim said.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for Sowore to reconnect with longtime comrades, as participants reflected on defining moments that shaped their lifelong commitment to democracy, civic courage and accountable leadership.
Olawepo-Hashim reiterated that silencing dissent through administrative or legal pressure sets a dangerous precedent, insisting that Nigeria’s democracy can only endure when criticism is protected rather than punished.
The post Order immediate release of Sowore’s int’l passport, Olawepo-Hashim urges Tinubu appeared first on Vanguard News.
