A chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has urged the Federal Government not to arrest Mr. Omoyele Sowore, one of the leaders of the recent #EndBadGovernance protest, and has provided reasons to support this stance.
Reports from various online media platforms indicate that the new Director General of the DSS, Adeola Ajayi, has instructed security operatives at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to be on the lookout for Sowore and to detain him upon his arrival.
However, Ajadi, in a statement he signed and made available to journalists on Thursday, stated that such a directive is inconsistent with the democratic principles currently in place in Nigeria.
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He warned that the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should not regress to the dark days of military rule, when individuals were detained at the whim of the government.
Ajadi also advised the DSS to exercise caution, noting that Sowore’s supporters might be at the airport to welcome him, and any attempt to arrest him in their presence could lead to confrontations.
The statement reads in part, “Let me warn that Sowore should not be arrested for being one of the organizers of the recent #EndBadGovernance protest that took place across the country.
Peaceful protest is a legitimate right of citizens in a democratic government.
There is a provision for the right or freedom to express opinions in our constitution. Expressing one’s view against perceived bad governance is not an offense in a democracy.
I would like to remind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration that the elementary definition of democracy is ‘government of the people, by the people, and for the people.’ The people are at the center of government in a democracy, and the government must be accountable to them.
Sowore has not done anything to warrant arrest, especially since he was not in the country and cannot be linked to any violent acts during the protests.”
He added, “President Tinubu should remember that Sowore is also a leader, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the last general election, a foremost human rights activist, and an opinion leader. He should not be treated or arrested at the airport like a criminal.
Even if Sowore’s supporters and followers are at the airport to welcome him, arresting him among his people could cause commotion, so the DSS should tread with caution.”
“The DSS should also recognize that we are in a democracy with rule of law. Anyone found to have violated the law can be charged in court, not waylaid at the airport.
We should not turn our country into a laughing stock among the community of nations.
The Federal Government should allow people to express their grievances peacefully whenever they believe the government is falling short of expectations, without destruction of public property,” Ajadi, who was the NNPP gubernatorial candidate in Ogun State during the 2023 general election, concluded.
TheWitness
