A Kwara State High Court in Ilorin has remanded the PDP's publicity secretary at Oke-Kura Correctional Centre. Justice T.S.
Umar denied bail to Olusegun Olushola Adewara on Thursday.
Adewara faces two charges of alleged defamation against Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. Prosecutors claim his statements were offensive and caused public disturbance.
His lawyer filed a bail application and made oral arguments before the judge. Justice Umar rejected the request on procedural grounds.
According to the ruling, the bail application wasn't properly moved in court procedure. The judge ordered his remand pending a hearing.
Court proceedings will resume on June 10, 2026. That's when the bail application will be heard.
Speaking outside the courtroom, Adewara expressed disappointment with the decision. He pledged to respect the judiciary despite his concerns.
"While bail decisions rest entirely with the court, this leaves a bitter taste," he told reporters. "I see political undertones against opposition voices in Kwara State."
Yet he vowed continued commitment to the judicial process. Adewara called on party members to remain calm.
"I urge all supporters and PDP members across the state to stay peaceful and law-abiding," he said. "These sacrifices are part of our democratic struggle ahead of 2027."
He insisted that his detention won't weaken opposition efforts. According to him, victory remains certain by God's grace.
"This struggle must continue whether I'm physically present or not," Adewara declared. He expressed confidence in the party's future prospects.
The PDP's state chapter swiftly condemned his remand on Friday. Officials described the prosecution as political persecution.
Bashir Ashura, the assistant state publicity secretary, issued a party statement. He accused the government of intimidating critics.
"A government that's failed on insecurity is now harassing citizens who speak against it," Ashura wrote. "This shows intolerance of legitimate criticism."
Party officials claim state resources are being misused for harassment purposes. They argue economic hardship and insecurity deserve government focus instead.
According to the statement, this amounts to silencing critical voices. Freedom of expression remains essential to democracy, party officials stressed.
Ashura called on security agencies and courts to remain neutral. Professional handling of politically sensitive matters is crucial, he noted.
The PDP maintains that public dissatisfaction with governance continues growing statewide. Residents have grown increasingly frustrated with the administration's performance.
Opposition officials say the government has become less tolerant of criticism recently. They view the prosecution as evidence of this intolerance.
Civil society observers in Ilorin have taken note of developments. Many are watching how the case unfolds in coming months.
