The African Action Congress (AAC) has expressed concern over what it described as an alleged assassination attempt on its presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, during the June 12 Democracy Day protest held in Abuja.
In a statement released on Sunday, the party claimed that security operatives were involved in an incident in which an aerosol-like substance was allegedly sprayed at Sowore’s face during the demonstration, causing him to collapse and briefly lose consciousness.
AAC said the episode reflects a broader pattern of what it described as sustained harassment, arrests, prosecutions, and intimidation targeting Sowore over time.
The party argued that the incident was not isolated, insisting it forms part of a continuous clampdown on the activist and former presidential candidate by state authorities.
It further warned that the situation raises serious concerns about the state of civil liberties and democratic practice in Nigeria, alleging that critics of government are increasingly facing repression and political pressure.
AAC recalled several previous encounters involving Sowore, including repeated arrests and reported confrontations with security agents, as well as legal disputes it believes are politically motivated.
The party also referenced the death of former Senate President Chuba Okadigbo following exposure to tear gas at a political rally in 2003, describing it as a reminder of the dangers faced by opposition figures in politically tense environments.
According to AAC, earlier attempts involving physical confrontation have allegedly shifted into what it termed sustained legal and administrative harassment, including prosecutions and movement restrictions.
The party called on the international community, human rights organisations, and democratic institutions to monitor the situation closely and intervene where necessary to prevent further escalation.
It maintained that the rights to peaceful protest and political participation must be protected, stressing that intimidation or force would not deter its members from pursuing democratic reforms in the country.