The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has welcomed the reported decision of the Department of State Services (DSS) to suspend the prosecution of African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, until after the forthcoming 2027 Presidential Election.
NANS described the decision as a welcome development and a demonstration of commitment to democracy, fairness, due process, the rule of law and the integrity of the electoral process.
In a statement issued by the student body, NANS leaders said all presidential candidates should be allowed to participate in the electoral process on a level playing field without being placed at a procedural or institutional disadvantage because of pending criminal proceedings.
The association said the decision was consistent with broader regional and international democratic principles, including the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, the AU Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
According to NANS, these instruments emphasise genuine, free, fair, transparent and credible elections while protecting citizens’ rights to political participation.
The student body also commended the DSS Director-General, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, for what it described as his commitment to due process and the lawful exercise of institutional powers since assuming office in August 2024.
NANS cited the release of persons who were found to have been erroneously detained and the payment of compensation to affected persons as examples of what it described as the DSS leadership’s commitment to accountability and the rule of law.
The association also referenced the case involving Prof. Pat Utomi over his advocacy for the establishment of a “Shadow Government,” arguing that the matter demonstrated the use of established legal and judicial processes in dealing with politically sensitive issues.
NANS further commended the DSS leadership for what it described as progress in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, including the arrest and prosecution of high-profile terrorist suspects.
The student body said such efforts demonstrated that national security could be pursued through intelligence-led operations, inter-agency cooperation and adherence to the rule of law.
It also praised the DSS for investigating personnel accused of violating established procedures or rules of engagement, saying such measures were important to strengthening public confidence in the security agency.
On the suspension of Sowore’s prosecution, NANS stressed that the decision should not be interpreted as placing anyone above the law or permanently abandoning the pending case.
Rather, the association said the move represents an exercise of institutional discretion aimed at ensuring that the electoral process is not unnecessarily complicated by legal proceedings involving a presidential candidate at a critical period.
According to NANS, the prosecution can continue after the election in accordance with due process and applicable laws.
The association therefore described the decision as a “prudent, responsible and confidence-building measure” capable of helping to safeguard the neutrality of the electoral environment.
NANS said Nigerians need an electoral process where candidates compete under substantially equal conditions, institutions remain impartial and citizens can freely make their choices without fear, favour or undue institutional influence.
The student body called for a free, fair, peaceful, transparent and credible 2027 Presidential Election, while commending the DSS leadership for what it described as institutional restraint, fairness and respect for democratic principles.
NANS said the decision was ultimately in the interest of democracy, national stability and the constitutional right of Nigerians to freely choose their leaders.
