Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has stated that authorities have detained religious leader Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar.

In a statement on Tuesday, titled 'Troubling Developments in Our Polity that Must Be Nipped in the Bud,' Obi mentioned that the arrest occurred shortly after the religious leader hosted him in Kaduna on Sunday.

He said, "This development underscores the deeply troubling state of our nation and our democracy, where freedom of speech and movement is increasingly threatened, and where citizens and perceived political opponents face harassment and unnecessary persecution. This cannot be allowed to continue."

He called on authorities to defend freedom and free speech, which are the hallmarks of every democratic society.

"Suppression and intimidation of dissent can never stand in a democratic society, and this Nigerian government must understand this fact.

"I respectfully call on all those bent on undermining our already fragile democracy to please stop and apply the rule of law and tenets of democracy in dealing with citizens."