EndBadGovNG (SOWORE2027)

TAKE IT BACK MOVEMENT (TIB) GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS OFFICIAL PRESS STATEMENT 28 October 2026 REMAND OF DR. DORIS OGALA: THE JUDICIARY MUST NOT BECOME A WEAPON AGAINST POLITICAL OPPOSITION The Take It Back Movement (TIB) Global Headquarters expresses its grave concern and strong condemnation of any attempt to weaponize Nigeria's judicial system against political opponents, following the remand in custody of our comrade and African Action Congress (AAC) governorship candidate for Abia State, Dr. Doris Ogala, by the Federal High Court in Lagos. Her bail hearing has been scheduled for Friday, 30 October 2026. We view this development with serious concern, particularly against the backdrop of the repeated legal battles involving our leader, Omoyele Sowore, and other members of the AAC and Take It Back Movement. We are increasingly concerned that judicial processes are being used, or are at risk of being used, not merely to administer justice but to frustrate political participation, intimidate opposition voices and weaken legitimate democratic movements. Let us be unequivocal: nobody is above the law. Not Doris Ogala, not Pastor Chris Okafor, not Governor Alex Otti, not Pastor Jerry Eze, and certainly not those entrusted with administering justice. However, the law must never become an instrument of selective punishment. A criminal allegation is not a conviction. A remand order is not a political disqualification. And the courtroom must never become an extension of the campaign battlefield. TO PASTOR CHRIS OKAFOR We recognize your right to seek legal redress. However, we equally insist that our candidate has the right to defend herself, enjoy the presumption of innocence and challenge any process she believes amounts to harassment or intimidation. Should evidence establish any abuse of legal process intended to intimidate our comrade or frustrate her political aspirations, be assured that we shall respond vigorously through every lawful avenue available to us. We will pursue justice through the courts, constitutional remedies, peaceful civic action and every legitimate instrument provided by the law. TO GOVERNOR ALEX OTTI AND PASTOR JERRY EZE We are concerned about the possibility of political interests exploiting legal proceedings against our candidate. We recognize the relationship between Governor Alex Otti's administration and Pastor Jerry Eze's family, including the appointment of Dr. Eno Eze as Chairman of the Abia State Civil Service Commission. While that connection does not establish interference in this case, we believe all public figures concerned should make clear that they have no involvement in any attempt to use the legal system to undermine a political opponent. Governor Otti, the appropriate place to confront a political opponent is on the campaign ground, through policies, programmes, performance and a transparent democratic contest. Let the people of Abia State determine their political future through the ballot, not through intimidation or the misuse of state institutions. We call on Governor Otti, Pastor Jerry Eze and every other person whose name has arisen in connection with concerns surrounding this matter to respect the independence of the judiciary and refrain from any form of improper interference. TO THE JUDICIARY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES We recognize the constitutional responsibility of the courts to adjudicate disputes independently and impartially. We therefore call for the fair and expeditious consideration of Dr. Doris Ogala's bail application on Friday and demand that her constitutional rights, safety, dignity, access to legal representation and presumption of innocence be fully respected. The judiciary must remain the last hope of the common citizen, not an institution that citizens come to fear as a potential instrument of political persecution. Justice must not only be done. It must be manifestly seen to be done.