Omoyele Sowore has condemned Peter Obi’s visit to Aare Afe Babalola, criticizing Obi for intervening in the legal matters surrounding activist Dele Farotimi’s defamation and cybercrime charges. Sowore compared Obi's actions to historical civil rights struggles, emphasizing the continued fight for justice and Farotimi's release.
Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has criticized Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, for his recent visit to Aare Afe Babalola in Ekiti State. The visit, which took place hours after Obi met with the detained activist Dele Farotimi, sparked a backlash from Sowore. On his X handle, Sowore condemned Obi’s actions, arguing that the meeting with Babalola, alongside Obi’s intervention in the Farotimi case, was a disservice to the fight against judicial corruption in Nigeria.
Sowore compared Obi’s actions to the historical struggles of civil rights activists, specifically drawing a parallel with Rosa Parks’ protest against racial injustice in the United States. He expressed that Obi’s efforts to mediate the issue between Babalola and Farotimi undermined the ongoing battle for justice. Sowore firmly stated, "The struggle continues! Free Dele Farotimi now."
Obi’s visit was reportedly facilitated by a Yoruba leader who sought a peaceful resolution to the legal dispute between Babalola and Farotimi. Farotimi had been arrested and charged with 16 counts of defamation related to his criticism of Babalola. Further cybercrime charges were filed against him on December 6. On December 9, the Federal High Court granted him bail set at N50 million, though his legal team is still working to finalize the conditions.
