Nigerian Civil Society Organisations have in very strong term, condemned the arrest of Omoyele Sowore by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Made up of 15 Civil Society Organisations in a statement, expressed deep concern over what they described as “Nigeria’s steady drift” to an authoritarian state under President Muhammadu Buhari.
The organisations specifically stated in a joint statement that they are particularly worried that the Buhari-led government persistent and increasingly intolerant posture and undemocratic actions is turning Nigeria into an authoritarian state.
The statement noted that Buhari, who came into office through democratic elections in 2015, had stated during campaigns that although he was once a military ruler, he had transformed to a democrat and described himself as ‘a converted democrat’ with a promise to subject himself and his conduct in government, if elected, under democratic norms and practices.
According to the organisations; “However, the style and approach of President Buhari’s government since 2015 and especially after his highly contested re-election in the 2019; his government’s increasing intolerance for criticism and opposition; and his blatant disregard for the rule of law- all clearly paint a picture of a man still retaining his military mind-set and ruthless predilection.
“The arrest of Omoyele Sowore in the wee hours of Saturday, August 3, 2019 is unjustifiable. Sowore has not committed any known offence except that he advocates for good governance. His arrest, coming just few hours after a rented crowd of pro-government protesters besieged the Abuja offices of the Amnesty International- for the second time under this government, in an attempt to intimidate the human rights advocacy organisation for its critical and factual reports exposing human rights atrocities and demanding accountability, it is yet another indication that under President Buhari, democracy is in retreat in Nigeria and the country is increasingly drifting towards full blown authoritarianism.”
The organisations also said that under Buhari, human rights and basic freedoms have been recklessly and unabashedly curtailed on a scale only comparable to and reminiscent of the dark days of military dictatorship during which Buhari’s despicable role stands out.
They further said; “Under Buhari’s government, freedoms of assembly and expression have been brutally repressed and suppressed, only compounding the already precarious state of insecurity in Nigeria which has turned life in Nigeria ‘nasty, short and brutish’.
“The blood of helpless and defenceless Nigerians is daily spilled by ruthless armed bandits and repressive state security agents. Yet, the same government has proved woefully incompetent and incapable of providing leadership in the face of steadily degenerating state of security and dilapidated economy.
“The rights of Nigerians to peaceful protest are fundamental and guaranteed by the Constitution and other regional and international human rights legislation and treaties which Nigeria subscribes to.”
The Civil Society Groups stressed that protest is not a crime just as it specifically noted that in 2003, General Mohammadu Buhari led other ANPP party members in a protest rally over the rigged 2003 election, adding that when the police disrupted the rally, Buhari and ANPP challenged the disruption of the rally in court and the court declared the action of the police illegal and unconstitutional.
It further said; “This was upheld by the Court of Appeal.
“Again on November 20, 2014, General Buhari, as presidential candidate of APC, and his party men also staged a protest in Abuja against increasing insecurity and killings in the country under President Jonathan. Today, the situation is more tragic than it was when Buhari led that protest.
“Freedom of expression as ventilated through a peaceful protest is a constitutional right. We can’t continue to behave like we are in the Stone Age.
“Buhari government has already done so much damage to the international image of Nigeria. The arrest of Sowore will do further damage to that battered image.
“It is a shame that the same government whose agents hire protesters to picket the offices of Amnesty international for being anti-government will unleash security agents against critics and genuine peaceful protesters.
“The rented protesters were at Amnesty International’s offices again today and would be going there for the next five days having been paid to occupy the office every day for seven days.
The organisations called for the immediate release of Sowore and an end to the repression of basic freedoms guaranteed Nigerians by the Constitution.
The statement was issued and signed by Mr. kechukwu Nwanguma – Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Augusta Yaakugh – Rule of Law Development Foundation, Mojirayo Ogunlana-Nkanga – Centre for Impact Advocacy, Ariyo-Dare Atoye – Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution and Comrade Deji Adeyanju – Concerned Nigerian Groups
Others include Comrade Gbenga Soloki – Centre Against Injustice and Domestic Violence, Uzoma Aneto – Nde Oduko Foundation, Amb. Obuesi Phillips – Community Agenda for Peace (Centre for Public Peace and Conflict Prevention), Gloria Nweze – Centre for Human Rights, Social Justice and Anti-Torture Initiative and Comrade Adewale Ojo, for Committee for the Defence of Human Rights.
It also include Adebayo Raphael – Free Nigeria Movement, Deji Ajare – Sterling Centre for Law and Development, Dr. Walter Duru – Media Imitative Against Injustice, Violence and Corruption, Adamu Abdullazeez Bako – Centre for Citizens’ Right and Adewale Adeoye for Journalists for Democratic Rights, (JODER)
