2027: NANS Backs Suspension Of Sowore’s Trial

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has thrown its weight behind the suspension of the trial of Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC), until the conduct of the 2027 presidential election.

The Global President of NANS, Comrade Babatunde Akinteye, said the suspension of Sowore‘s trial is a step towards a free, fair and credible election and would give all the contestants a level playing field during the campaigns leading to the election.

Addressing a press conference in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Akinteye commended the decision of the Director-General, Department of State Services (DGSS), Mr Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, to suspend the prosecution of Sowore until after the forthcoming Presidential Election in January 2027.

Akinteye said the decision is a demonstration of commitment to democracy, fairness, due process, the rule of law and the integrity of the electoral process. He said all presidential candidates ought to compete on a level playing field, saying no candidate should be placed at a procedural or institutional disadvantage by reason of pending criminal proceedings.

According to him, the decision is consistent with broader regional and international democratic principles and best practices embodied in instruments such as the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance (2001), the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (2007), the AU Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa (2002), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

Akinteye said these instruments emphasised genuine, free, fair, transparent and credible elections, as well as the protection of citizens’ rights to political participation.

Flanked by other leaders of the Students’ Unions, Akinteye said the decision of DSS is also consistent with the DGSS’ remarkable achievements since assuming office in 2024, during which he has demonstrated a notable commitment to the rule of law, due process and the lawful exercise of institutional powers.

Akinteye said the suspension of the prosecution of Sowore should not be misconstrued as placing anyone above the law or as an abandonment of the pending proceedings.

Rather, Akinteye said it represented a responsible exercise of institutional discretion aimed at ensuring that the electoral process is not unnecessarily complicated by proceedings involving a presidential candidate at a critical stage of the democratic process. The prosecution will continue after the election in accordance with due process and the applicable law.

His words: “We regard the decision to defer the prosecution until after the Presidential Election as a prudent, responsible and confidence-building measure. It will help safeguard the neutrality of the electoral environment and reinforce public confidence that the outcome of the contest will be determined by the free will of the electorate, rather than by circumstances capable of creating an actual or perceived uneven playing field.

“As you are all aware, at this defining moment in our democratic journey, what the nation requires is an electoral environment in which all candidates compete under substantially equal conditions, institutions remain impartial, and citizens are free to make their choices without fear, favour or undue institutional influence.

“We therefore welcome this decision as a positive step towards ensuring a free, fair, peaceful, transparent and credible Presidential Election, consistent with Nigeria’s democratic obligations and the principles reflected in regional and international electoral standards.

“We commend the DGSS for demonstrating institutional restraint, fairness, respect for due process and commitment to democratic principles, while at the same time strengthening the nation’s security architecture and upholding the rule of law.”

Akinteye said the commitment of the DGSS has been reflected in the prompt release of persons found to have been erroneously detained and the payment of over N300 million as compensation to the affected persons, as well as the resort to legal and judicial processes in addressing politically related acts of incitement, rather than the indiscriminate or coercive exercise of State power.

He said the proceedings involving Prof. Pat Utomi, following his advocacy for the establishment of a “Shadow Government,” further illustrated this approach. Where politically sensitive and contentious conduct arose, the response was pursued through established legal and judicial mechanisms, reinforcing the principle that even difficult matters of national security and public order should be addressed within the framework of the law.

His words: “We must also commend the DGSS for the significant progress recorded in the fight against terrorism and insurgency under his leadership. The arrests of high-profile and notorious terrorist elements, as well as the successful prosecution and conviction of significant terrorist offenders, represent a notable contribution to national security and the protection of lives and property.

“These achievements demonstrate operational dexterity, strategic leadership and effective synergy with sister security agencies, and underscore the fact that the fight against terrorism can be pursued decisively through intelligence-led operations, inter-agency cooperation and strict adherence to the rule of law.

“We further commend the DGSS for his commitment to ensuring that personnel of the Service who violate established procedures or breach the rules of engagement are appropriately investigated and, where necessary, subjected to disciplinary or legal action. This demonstrates a firm commitment to professionalism, accountability and the rule of law, while reinforcing the principle that no officer is above the law. Such measures are vital to strengthening public confidence in the DSS and ensuring that its powers are exercised responsibly and within the bounds of the law.”