PDP Condemns Police Attack On Sowore, Says Tinubu Govt Never Learnt Any Lesson About June 12
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the attack on human rights activist and presidential candidate of African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, and other protesters during Democracy Day demonstrations in Abuja.
The PDP described the incident as evidence that the lessons of the historic June 12 struggle remain largely unlearnt under Nigeria's current democratic dispensation of President Bola Tinubu.
It accused the Tinubu-led administration of suppressing dissent and failing to uphold the democratic freedoms for which many Nigerians fought and died during the pro-democracy movement that followed the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
In a statement issued on Friday to mark Democracy Day and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP said it was disturbing that peaceful demonstrators were teargassed and assaulted on a day dedicated to celebrating democracy and civil liberties.
The party specifically referenced reports that Sowore was injured during the protest while demanding the release of schoolchildren and teachers abducted by criminal groups across the country.
“Reality check, however, provides damning evidence that under this APC-led Federal Government, the lessons of June 12 remain painfully unlearnt,” the PDP said.
“Today, of all days — a day set aside to honour the blood of democratic martyrs —peaceful protesters were teargassed and assaulted in Abuja.
“Omoyele Sowore was reportedly injured and hospitalised for doing nothing more than demanding the immediate release of schoolchildren and teachers held hostage across different parts of the country.”
The party said the incident raised serious concerns about the state of civil liberties and democratic rights in Nigeria, arguing that the right to peaceful protest remains a fundamental pillar of any democratic society.
According to the PDP, June 12 should serve as a reminder to governments at all levels to respect citizens' rights, uphold the rule of law and protect democratic institutions rather than undermine them.
The opposition party further accused the Tinubu administration of prioritising public relations and political optics over meaningful governance and responsiveness to citizens' concerns.
“This Tinubu administration unashamedly prioritises optics over action, propaganda over policy, and dwells in a dangerous utopian self-delusion,” the statement added.
“Their disposition to governance has reduced this sacred day to a mere historic remembrance, rather than being a celebration of democratic consolidation.”
The party noted that the June 12 election symbolised national unity, as Nigerians voted across ethnic, religious and regional lines in pursuit of democratic governance and national progress.
It also recalled the sacrifices made by pro-democracy activists, journalists, labour leaders and ordinary citizens who resisted military rule following the annulment of the election.
“As we commemorate Democracy Day, we remember the June 12, 1993 election and the sacrifices made to defend the people's mandate,” the PDP stated.
“We are reminded of the enthusiasm the citizenry displayed as they consciously blurred pre-existing fault lines and voted in a way that reflected a united country in search of progress.”
The party urged the Federal Government to protect citizens' rights to peaceful assembly and protest, while also safeguarding the democratic space for opposition parties and dissenting voices.
It further called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to uphold transparency, impartiality and fairness in future elections, warning that democratic institutions must not be weakened by political interference.