Omoyele Sowore has vowed that he will never apologise to President Bola Tinubu over the alleged defamatory remarks that led to his ongoing court case. The activist said he stands by his comments and remains prepared to defend them before the court.
Speaking after proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Sowore described the case as an attempt to silence opposition voices. According to daily post,He insisted that criticism of public office holders should never be treated as a criminal offence.
The Sowore Tinubu defamation case has continued to attract public attention since the Department of State Services (DSS) filed charges against the former presidential candidate. Prosecutors accused him of cyberbullying and criminal defamation over social media posts directed at the President.
However, Sowore maintained that he had committed no offence. He said there was no reason for him to withdraw his statements or offer an apology to Tinubu.
“I will never apologise to Tinubu,” Sowore declared after the court session. He added that no amount of pressure would force him to change his position.
According to him, democracy thrives when citizens can freely question those in power. He argued that Nigerians should not fear expressing political opinions because of possible legal action.
Furthermore, Sowore accused the government of using the judicial process to intimidate critics. He claimed the prosecution was politically motivated and aimed at discouraging dissenting voices across the country.
On the other hand, the Federal Government insists that the charges are based on the law. Prosecutors argued that Sowore’s comments were capable of causing public tension and damaging the President’s reputation.
Meanwhile, the court did not conclude the matter during the latest hearing. The judge adjourned the case to allow both parties to continue presenting their arguments before the trial proceeds further.
The Sowore Tinubu defamation trial has generated mixed reactions among lawyers, political observers and civil society organisations. While some Nigerians believe public officials should tolerate criticism, others argue that individuals must also be held accountable for statements considered defamatory.
In addition, several rights groups have expressed concern over the growing number of legal actions involving outspoken government critics. They believe such cases could affect freedom of expression if not handled carefully within the limits of the law.
Despite the legal battle, Sowore remained firm in his position. He repeated that he would not apologise to President Tinubu under any circumstance and would continue defending his comments in court.
As the Sowore Tinubu defamation case moves forward, attention is expected to remain on the proceedings. The outcome could shape future conversations about free speech, political criticism and the limits of defamation laws in Nigeria.
