Sowore’s Remand Is Another Promotion Examination. He Has Always Passed.
- By Tope Temokun
A few people are celebrating Sowore’s remand. Some see the remand as a victory for themselves or for the interests they represent. Others see it through the narrow lens of partisan politics, in a country where mere membership of, or allegiance to, a ruling party often translates into the surrender of reason, objectivity, and conscience whenever criticism of government is involved. Some imagine that a prison gate for Sowore may, in their imagination, mark the end of his struggle. But history suggests otherwise.
For the record, apart from Gani Fawehinmi, may the Lord rest his soul, no Nigerian, dead or alive, has been in and out of court facing government-instigated criminal trials more than Sowore, not for any personal gain or comfort, but in his quest to join other true patriots in handing over a country better than they met it to our children.
In all his trials, Sowore does not run from court. In fact, in one of the cases that came up while he was temporarily in New York in 2025, which I was personally handling before the Federal High Court, Abuja, he spent millions of naira on flight tickets to return to Nigeria from New York City solely to attend his trial, and the trial Judge acknowledged that.
Sowore and the courtroom are like the eagle and the firestorm. The eagle never fails to descend whenever there is a firestorm because the firestorm itself is the festival of the eagle.
Whether one agrees with Sowore’s politics, methods, or public interventions is an entirely different matter. The more important question is why anyone would celebrate the remand of perhaps the only consistently courageous voice left in Nigeria willing to confront power directly on behalf of ordinary citizens. If Sowore were to leave the public stage for one year, Nigerians would come to realise what an asset he has been.
In any case, Sowore is not new to detention. He is not new to prosecution. He is not new to intimidation, harassment or attempts at political silencing. These experiences have accompanied much of his public life. Every major challenge placed before him has ultimately expanded his influence, strengthened his resolve, and amplified his voice.
What many see as punishment, he has repeatedly converted into purpose. What many see as a setback, he has often transformed into a platform. Every detention has been a test. Every prosecution or remand has been an examination. Every attempt to silence Sowore has contributed to the story that made him who he is.
Indeed, if one surveys the trajectory of his public life, it becomes difficult to identify any major persecution that did not eventually elevate rather than diminish him.
That is why I would advise those celebrating today not to laugh too early. Sowore’s remand is merely another promotion examination. And if history is any guide, it is an examination he has always passed.
Tope Temokun
June 22, 2026
The opinions expressed in this publication are solely those of the author. It does not represent the editorial position or opinion of OSUN DEFENDER.
