Eminent Nigerians appeal to Buhari on Sowore’s release

By Adekola Afolabi & Martins Fasusi
|
Eminent indigenes of Ondo State have joined voices with prominent Nigerians to the federal government to release detained publisher of Sahara reporter and presidential candidate of Action Alliance Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore who has spent over 45 days in detention.

A constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, Kalasuwe of Apoi Land, Oba Adejimola Amuseghan, chairman, Academic Staff Union of University and Senior Staff Association of Nigeria University OSUSTECH chapter, Dr Dipo Akomolafe and Comrade Dayo Temola  respectively pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari  to let him off the hook .

The federal government had on Friday slammed a two count charge of money laundering and treason on Sowore.

Department of State Services (DSS) arrested Sowore in the early hours of August 4, in Lagos for organising a public protest, tagged ‘Revolution Now’.

Dr. Tunji Abayomi, who said he will not be in support of any action that intends to unseat the government, submitted that proclamation should be separated from the intent.

“The government should release him. I think it is wrong for the court to give an order that he should be detained for that long. That is a direct violation of the constitution. The judicial power of the court does not extend to violating the fundamental rights of the citizens or violating the provisions of the constitution,” he stressed.

The legal luminary further explained that as much as he would not agree with Sowore’s declaration to unseat the government, the proclamation should be separated from the intent.

“The declaration was wrong, but I don’t think the intention that can be gathered from preparation and the action will support the expression. In that case I think it would be sufficient for the government to merely curtail  him without detaining him.

While contributing,  Kalasuwe of Apoi Land, Oba Adejimola Sunday Amuseghan said Sowore is an illustrious son of Apoi land who has track record of good conduct right from his childhood and in the University when he was the students Union President at University of Lagos.

The kabiyesi appealed to the Federal Government to release him unconditionally for the sake of democracy and peace loving Nigerians so that he could contribute his quota to the development of the country.

“Sowore has not contravened the Constitution of the country,  he has the right to protest.  He didn’t protest to cause violent,  he is only protesting against principles ”

“Revolution can mean many things,  it could be industrial, it could be political or economic.  In this country we have heard several economic revolution, operation feed the nation was one of it.

“government should have listened to him and ask for his intentions, they can learn from it ”

Chairman Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU), OSUSTECH Chapter, Dr. Dipo Akomolafe  said there is the need for government to look at Sowore’s  antecedents before arresting him .

He said there was no justification for his arrest and detention over a planned protest which was aimed at correcting the heels in the society

Akomolafe added that revolution does not necessarily mean violence but a call on government to sit up on the way of doing things.

“There was nothing wrong in what Sowore was trying to do, he is only calling on government to do the right thing ”

“People have been suffering and he is only calling on government to be alive to its responsibilities.”

Akomolafe appealed to government to create free atmosphere without intimidation for everyone to hear his view, insisting that there is nothing harmful in organizing a protest.

“Government should do the needful by releasing Sowore and also create a free atmosphere for people to hear their views without intimidation.”

“If government has done well, they should not be afraid of protest,” he said.

Also, Comrade Dayo Temola,  Chairman Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, OSUSTECH Chapter said government cannot be said to be justified by Sowore arrest and most especially detaining him in  DSS custody of  for over 45 days.

“I felt that government does not have enough reason for keeping him and his comrades in perpetual custody.”

“Nigerians should be allowed to express themselves freely.

“Instead of going after Sowore, government should concentrate its efforts on fighting kidnappers, armed bandits, terrorists and kidnappers.”