Former presidential candidate and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholder, Dr Gbenga Hashim, on Tuesday, sought the intervention of President Bola Tinubu over the seized international passport of activist, Comrade Omoyele Sowore, urging the release of the travel document.

He noted that holding onto Sowore’s passport continuously would not only portray the Federal Government in bad light but also pass a message of abuse of power in a democratic system.

The former presidential candidate was speaking in Abuja during a meeting with Sowore when the latter visited him.

The visit coincided with another meeting Hashim convened with PDP chairmen in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ahead of the upcoming Area Council polls.

In attendance were the Chief of Staff, Mr Kamaldeen Adebayo Sanni, and the National Coordinator of the Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement, Abdulrazaq Hamzat.

During the interaction, Hashim recalled shared moments with Sowore in the pro-democracy struggles dating back to 1989, when Sowore was one of his protégés.

He noted that the meeting was not a nostalgic exercise, but a reminder of the sacrifices that secured Nigeria’s democratic space.

According to Hashim, Sowore’s courage, consistency, and refusal to bow to intimidation have made him a symbol of principled resistance and a rallying point for young Nigerians demanding a new political order.

He said, “Nigeria is worth fighting for, and meaningful change is possible, no matter how difficult.”

Hashim condemned what he described as the sustained persecution of Sowore for speaking truth to power, noting that the continued seizure of his passport has effectively punished him without conviction and denied him the basic right to family life.

Hashim warned that democracies collapse when dissent is criminalized, stressing that the protection of opposing voices is a non-negotiable pillar of democratic governance.

He, therefore, called on President Tinubu to act decisively by ordering the immediate release of Sowore’s passport in the interest of justice, the rule of law, and respect for fundamental human rights.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for Sowore to reconnect with longtime comrades, as participants reflected on defining moments that shaped their lifelong commitment to democracy, civic courage, and accountable leadership. (TRIBUNE)