A chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has urged the Federal Government not to arrest Mr. Omoyele Sowore, a leader of the recent #endbadgovernance protest, upon his arrival in the country.
Reports indicate that the DSS has been instructed to pick up Sowore at the airport, but Ajadi argues that such an action would be undemocratic and reminiscent of military rule, according to Independent.
He emphasized that peaceful protest is a legitimate right in a democratic government and that Sowore’s actions do not warrant arrest.
Ajadi warned that arresting Sowore could lead to confrontations with his supporters and advised the DSS to exercise caution.
He reminded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that democracy is about accountability to the people and that Sowore, as a leader and human rights activist, should not be molested or arrested like a criminal.
Ajadi emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and allowing people to express their grievances peacefully.
“Let me warned that Sowore should not be arrested for being one of the organisers of the recent #endbadgovernance protest that took place across the country.
“Peaceful Protest is a legitimate rights of citizens in a democratic government. There is the provision for the right or freedom to express opinions in our constitution. Making one’s view known against perceived bad governance is not an offence in democracy.
“I will like to remind our President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration that elementary definition of democracy says, ‘it is the government of the people by the people and for the people’. People is at the centre of government in a democracy. Government must be accountable to the people.
“Sowore has not done anything to warrant arrest more especially that he was not in the country and cannot be linked to any violent act during the protests.
“President Tinubu should remember that Sowore is also a leader, former Presidential Candidate of African Action Congress, (AAC) in the last general election and a foremost human right activist as well as an opinion leader. So he should not be molested or arrested at the Airport like a criminal.
“Even, assuming Sowore’s supporters and followers are at the Airport to welcome him, how will it be possible to arrest him in the midst of his people without causing commotion, so the DSS should tread with cautions.
“The DSS should also note that we are in democracy and there are rule of laws. Anybody found to have foul the law can be charged to court and not to be waylaid at the Airport. We should not turn our country to a laughing stock among the committee of nations.
“The Federal Government should allow people to express their grievances whenever they feel the government is not doing as expected, although peacefully without destruction of public property,” Ajadi who was the NNPP gubernatorial candidate in Ogun state during the 2023 general election said in the release.
