The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly condemned the attack on human rights activist and presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, as well as on other peaceful protesters during the Democracy Day demonstrations held in Abuja.

In a statement released by the party its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party highlighted that such incidents are clear indications that the lessons learned from the historic June 12 struggle are still not fully understood under the current administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The party accused the Tinubu-led government of systematically suppressing dissent and failing to uphold the democratic freedoms that many Nigerians fought and sacrificed for during the pro-democracy movement, which surged after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

The party remarked that, “Reality check, however, provides damning evidence that under this APC-led Federal Government, the lessons of June 12 remain painfully unlearnt.”

They expressed alarm that, “Today, of all days, a day set aside to honour the blood of democratic martyrs, peaceful protesters were teargassed and assaulted in Abuja.”

Referring specifically to Sowore, who reportedly sustained injuries during the protest while advocating for the release of abducted school children and teachers, PDP stated, “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 raised serious concerns about the state of civil liberties and democratic rights in Nigeria, emphasizing that the right to peaceful protest remains a fundamental pillar of any democratic society.

As the nation marked the anniversary of the June 12 election, seen as a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey, PDP reiterated that 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 also criticized the Tinubu administration for favoring public relations strategies over genuine governance and responsiveness to the people’s needs. They concluded that the current government’s approach has degraded Democracy Day to merely a historical commemoration instead of a genuine celebration of democratic consolidation.

The PDP urged the Federal Government to safeguard citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and protest, while also calling for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure transparency and fairness in upcoming elections.
They warned that “democratic institutions must not be weakened by political interference.”

The party expressed concern about the erosion of civic freedoms and the necessity for ongoing vigilance as Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections, emphasizing that the sacrifices of the past should not merely be remembered ceremonially but must serve as a call to action against any form of anti-democratic behavior.