Abuse Of Human Right – Gani Adams Blast DSS Over Sowore’s Detention

Iba Gani Adams, Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland has joined in the call for the release of Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC).

Recall that Sowore, who is also the publisher of Sahara Reporters and convener, Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria, was arrested by officers of the Department of State Services (DSS) over a planned revolutionary protest.

Through his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, Adams opined that the detention was an abuse of fundamental human right.

He further added that the protest can not be concluded to be treasonable since it had not been implemented as at the time Sowore was arrested.

Adams explained that it is bad that Nigerians are quick to forget events and past memories. He added that the country’s problems started from military dictatorship which was against freedom of speech and expression.

He said: “Not everybody can have access to the presidency in Abuja. This is a democracy, not militarism, where people are cowed and jailed over issues relating to their welfare.

He emphasized that Sowore has always been an activist “Sowore is an activist, and he was part of the struggle for this democracy. Therefore, he is entitled to express his feelings and that of Nigerians in a democratic setting.

“I think the federal government must consider his freedom as a panacea for peace. For instance, I wonder how a peaceful protest by armless citizens will now turn to a treasonable felony.

“It is unfortunate that many of the people at the corridors of power today were part of the protests against former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015, but today the situation has changed.

Adams expressed fear that the nation is heading back to military years “I am afraid they wanted to draw the nation back to those years of the military, where peoples rights to freedom and other fundamental human rights were alien to the military

“Even in countries that have good institutions and good welfare policies, the citizens still organize a peaceful protest and the government will surely listen to them

“As an activist and promoter of peace, I have engaged in various rallies and protests. On each occasion, we consulted widely, taking into considerations so many factors, including the rights of Nigerians to embark on protest, noting also that such rights should not translate to a violent or forceful protest

“Nigeria is a democratic republic, therefore, unlawful detention of a people can lead to further crisis and the Federal Government must try as much as it is possible to avoid this by listening to the cries of Nigerians.

“The Federal Government must free Sowore and formulate policy programs that have a direct impact on the mass of the people,” Adams concluded.