When Nigerian politicians manipulate and maneuver their way through elections, they tell aggrieved citizens to “Go to court.” Yet, when they feel their reputation has been “disparaged,” they quickly resort to using state institutions to intimidate and harass those they govern.

As a democrat, let me state unequivocally that I do not support the use of abusive or obnoxious name-calling in addressing national issues. However, the ongoing case in which the Department of State Services (DSS) alleges that Mr. Omoyele Sowore defamed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu — and the agency’s back-and-forth with global platforms like Twitter and Facebook to suppress the said claims — is troubling.

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In a true democracy, such matters should be addressed in a court of competent jurisdiction, not through state intimidation. The President, more than anyone else, must lead by example in respecting the rule of law and allowing justice to take its full course.

Our democracy cannot thrive on selective applications of power. If ordinary Nigerians are asked to seek redress in court, the same principle must apply to those at the very top.

-Francis Onyema, 2027 Presidential Aspirant