The African Action Congress (AAC) has urged the Department of State Services (DSS) to fully withdraw the charges against its presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, after reports emerged that the agency had suspended the prosecution until after the 2027 presidential elections.

In a statement released on Sunday, the AAC expressed dissatisfaction with the DSS's decision to suspend the case, arguing that it does not align with Nigerian criminal procedure, which does not allow for indefinite suspensions of criminal trials. The party's National Publicity Secretary, Rex Elanu, emphasized that the proper course of action would be to discontinue the prosecution entirely.

The DSS reportedly instructed its private counsel, Akinolu Kehinde, SAN, to take steps to suspend the case against Sowore, which has been ongoing for nearly a year. This decision followed a meeting on August 20 between the DSS Director-General, Tosin Ajayi, and senior officials from the agency's legal directorate. The AAC interpreted the suspension as an acknowledgment that the prosecution has become a political liability for the DSS and the current administration.

The AAC has characterized the prosecution as an abuse of state power and a politically motivated attack against Sowore, who has been critical of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The party stated, "For nearly a year, state resources have been deployed in a case arising essentially from Sowore’s description of Bola Tinubu as a ‘criminal.’" They condemned the DSS for using state machinery to silence political dissent and criticized the ongoing legal battle as a waste of public resources.

In light of the suspension, the AAC outlined several demands, beginning with the immediate and complete discontinuation of the case. They insisted that the Attorney-General of the Federation must formally end the prosecution rather than merely suspend it. The party also called for a public apology and compensation for Sowore, citing the disruption and legal expenses incurred due to what they termed a politically motivated prosecution.

Additionally, the AAC demanded the return of Sowore’s international passport, currently held by the Federal High Court, as well as his phones and other electronic devices seized by the DSS. They argued that Sowore should be free to travel and engage with the public as the presidential campaign season begins.

The party further condemned the alleged harassment of Sowore's media assistant, Zainab Sodiq, and other citizens exercising their constitutional rights. They called for an end to intimidation tactics against journalists, activists, and political organizers, asserting that no Nigerian should face persecution for their political beliefs or criticism of the government.

The AAC stressed that the suspension of Sowore's case should not be misconstrued as an act of goodwill by the DSS, labeling it instead as a necessary step to correct an unjust situation. They reiterated their commitment to defending freedom of expression and democratic participation, insisting that the prosecution must be completely discontinued and not merely suspended as a political maneuver.

Sowore, who is also known as the publisher of Sahara Reporters, has had a contentious history with security agencies, including previous arrests related to his activism. The current case against him stems from comments he made about President Tinubu, which the AAC maintains are protected under the right to free speech.