The arrest of Omoyele Sowore by DSS has led to a social uproar in
Nigeria.
His arrest is not unconnected to his championing of #RevolutionNow
protest in demand of good governance from the Muhammadu Buhari-led
administration.
High profile individuals, as well as civil societies and
non-governmental organizations, are calling for his immediate release
adding that the constitution of Nigeria permits the right to protest of
all Nigerians.
A CSO, Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria, coalition of young Nigerians
promoting good governance and citizen engagement, also joined the demand
for Sowore’s release.
The CSO also express their demand on Twitter.
EiE said, “The arrest & detention of @YeleSowore by DSS belies Nigeria’s
supposed commitment to human rights. The protest is a human right!
#RevolutionNow #DaysOfRage
“This stifling of citizens’ voices is blatant lawlessness & an abuse.
The DSS itself being a creation of the law cannot act above the law that
created it.
#FreeSowore #RevolutionNow #DaysOfRage
“The battle for the right of lawful assembly of citizens in any cause,
conducted peacefully has been won legally, constitutionally, and even
morally.”
The People’s Alternative Front also posited that Sowore has not
committed any criminal offence by associating with other Nigerians to
hold a peaceful rally.
PAF in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Eze Alloysius read,
“Since Nigerians have the fundamental right to protest for and against
any of the governments in the country Mr. Sowore has not committed any
criminal offence by associating with other Nigerians to hold a peaceful
rally against insecurity, unemployment, corruption, etc.
“After all, General Buhari had taken part in public protests against the
rigging of the 2003 general election by the Olusegun administration and
against insecurity in the country in 2014 under the Goodluck Jonathan
administration.
“Therefore, in demanding for the unconditional release of Mr. Sowore
from illegal custody without any further delay we are compelled to urge
President Buhari to call the heads of the security agencies to order.”
The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) Lagos State Branch
also called for the immediate and unconditional release of Sowore adding
that if his arrest is because of the planned protest, the government
should have waited for wait till the day of the protest.
CDHR stated that a similar revolution by Nigerians led to the emergence
of Muhammadu Buhari as president in 2015.
Comrade Alex Omotehinse, State Chairman of CDHR said, “We must remind
this Buhari Government that the 1999 constitution of the federal
republic of Nigeria as amended gives Sowore or any other Nigerian right
to protest and freedom of expression with the right to lawful assembly.
“We need to remind Mr. Buhari what brought him to office maybe he must
have forgotten so quickly that it was PEOPLES REVOLUTION from 2014 to
2015 that leads to his emergence as the president of Nigeria.
During the last administration led by his Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele
Jonathan Nigerians protested against his government day and night but
Jonathan never prevented nor arrested anybody for protesting against his
government.
The President must be called to order by the National Assembly and he
must know that this is a democratic government, not the military
government.
This government has failed Nigerians, therefore, it deserves to be
condemned, since returned to civil rule in 1999 Buhari regime has
recorded the highest arrest of critics. Buhari government has failed in
all ramifications, security of life and property is zero, we can no
longer travel safely on our roads, killings everywhere and kidnapping in
high rate Boko Haram insurgence are still killing our soldiers and
innocent Nigerians in north and herdsmen are killing villagers Buhari
and his DSS did not deem it fit to address that, but they are most
concern about innocent citizen that are complaining.”