Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has called for the release of Ahmad Umar following his reported arrest.
Mr Obi made the call in a post on X on Tuesday.
He said the cleric was arrested after hosting him in Kaduna on Sunday.
“I have just been made aware that Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar has been arrested by authorities shortly after hosting me in Kaduna on Sunday,” he said.
Obi said the arrest raises concerns about freedom of speech and movement.
“This development underscores the state of our nation and our democracy, where freedom of speech and movement is threatened, and where citizens and perceived political opponents face harassment,” he said.
He said such actions should not continue and called for the protection of civil rights.
“This country must defend freedom and free speech, which are the hallmarks of every democratic society,” he said.
Peter Obi also urged authorities to follow the rule of law in dealing with citizens.
“I respectfully call on those involved to apply the rule of law and tenets of democracy,” he said.
