The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has said the suspension of the prosecution of the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, until after the January 2027 presidential election is a step that upholds democratic principles and electoral fairness.
Addressing a press briefing in Akure, the leadership of the association led by Akinteye Babatunde commended the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, for what it described as a responsible decision aimed at protecting the integrity of the electoral process.
According to NANS, the move would ensure that all presidential candidates contest the election on a level playing field without any candidate being placed at a procedural or institutional disadvantage because of pending criminal proceedings.
The association said, “We consider this decision a commendable demonstration of commitment to democracy, fairness, due process, the rule of law and the integrity of the electoral process.
“At a time when all presidential candidates ought to compete on a level playing field, no candidate should be placed at a procedural or institutional disadvantage by reason of pending criminal proceedings.”
NANS noted that the decision is consistent with regional and international democratic standards, including the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
According to the students’ body, these instruments emphasise free, fair, transparent and credible elections, as well as the protection of citizens’ rights to political participation.
The association also praised Ajayi’s leadership since assuming office in August 2024, citing his commitment to the rule of law, due process and the lawful exercise of institutional powers. It noted that the DSS had demonstrated respect for legal procedures through the release of persons found to have been wrongly detained, compensation of affected individuals and reliance on judicial processes in handling politically sensitive matters.
NANS further referenced the legal proceedings involving Prof. Pat Utomi over his advocacy for a “Shadow Government,” saying the matter reflected the DSS leadership’s preference for lawful and judicial mechanisms in addressing contentious political issues.
While welcoming the suspension of Sowore’s prosecution, NANS stressed that the decision should not be interpreted as placing anyone above the law or terminating the pending case.
“It is important to emphasise that the suspension of the prosecution should not be misconstrued as placing anyone above the law or as an abandonment of the pending proceedings.
“Rather, it represents 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.”
The association maintained that the decision would help safeguard the neutrality of the electoral environment, strengthen public confidence in the credibility of the 2027 presidential election and ensure that Nigerians freely choose their leaders in a peaceful and transparent electoral process.