A 2027 presidential hopeful and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately order the release of the international passport of activist and former presidential candidate, Comrade Omoyele Sowore.
Olawepo-Hashim described the continued seizure of Sowore’s passport as an abuse of executive power and a grave threat to Nigeria’s democratic freedoms.
He made the call on Tuesday in Abuja while hosting Sowore at a meeting with PDP chairmen in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which also drew party leaders and pro-democracy advocates.
Speaking at the gathering, Olawepo-Hashim condemned what he termed the sustained persecution of Sowore for “speaking truth to power,” noting that the prolonged confiscation of his passport amounts to punishment without conviction.
According to him, the action has denied Sowore fundamental rights, including freedom of movement and the ability to live a normal family life.
He warned that democracy begins to crumble when dissent is criminalised, stressing that the protection of opposing voices is a non-negotiable pillar of democratic governance. Olawepo-Hashim argued that using state power to intimidate critics weakens institutions and erodes public trust in government.
The PDP chieftain therefore urged President Tinubu to act in the interest of justice and the rule of law by ordering the immediate release of Sowore’s passport, saying respect for fundamental human rights must not be compromised.
Reflecting on their shared history, Olawepo-Hashim recalled pro-democracy struggles dating back to 1989, describing Sowore as one of his protégés during the military era. He said the meeting was not about nostalgia but a reminder of the sacrifices that opened Nigeria’s democratic space and the duty to safeguard it.
He described Sowore’s courage, consistency and refusal to bow to intimidation as qualities that have made him a symbol of principled resistance and a rallying point for young Nigerians seeking a new political order anchored on accountability and justice.
“Nigeria is worth fighting for, and meaningful change is possible, no matter how difficult,” Olawepo-Hashim said.
The meeting also allowed Sowore to reconnect with longtime comrades, as participants reflected on defining moments that shaped their enduring commitment to democracy, civic courage and accountable leadership.
Olawepo-Hashim concluded by warning that silencing dissent through administrative or legal pressure sets a dangerous precedent, insisting that Nigeria’s democracy can only survive when criticism is protected rather than punished.