By Olanrewaju Adesanya
The Action Democratic Party (ADP) has described the Federal Government’s protracted incarcerations of Sahara Reporters Publisher, who is also the Presidential candidate of the AAC in the last general elections, Mr Omoyele Sowore, and others as needless, calling for their release.
The Lagos State ADP Publicity Secretary, Prince Adelaja Adeoye in a statement issued on Sunday charged the Federal Government to ensure the release of Sowore, as there was an antecedent for the revolution protest in the early days of former President Goodluck Jonathan, on the grounds of fuel subsidy removal and there was no arrest or imprisonment before the government gave in to the stance of the people.
Adeoye said no amount of repressive tendencies cited in the government of the day can stem recurring protest,once their genuine concerns are left unaddressed.
“It is the fundamental rights of all citizen to show their concern or agitation where necessary, that’s organizing a revolution protest does not amount to a plot to topple the government.
“He stated further that when Jonathan government planned to remove fuel subsidy in 2012, majority of the people in government today took to the street in protest, a protest that grounded the economy until the government rescind their decision to remove fuel subsidy.
Adelaja lamented the alarming rate at which citizens are being clamped on and hounded into prisons by government.
” Steven Kefas was whisked to Kaduna from Port Harcourt by operatives over his facebook post, a prominent youth who is a member of the opposition Dadiyata is still missing till date, his last place before he was abducted in Kaduna State.
” ADP prevailed one 5 the governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasiru El-rufai to set Kefas free and also help in the search for Dadiyata whose family members are in the hard time due to the abduction of their child.
“In the same vein, a journalist Agba Jalingo was arrested in Cross Rivers State, we urge those who sent him to the prison for doing his job to show humanity, and not allow him to die in detention as he was rushed to the hospital over his illness few days ago. Another journalist John Abiri was also arrested and detained for doing his job.
Speaking further on Sowore, Adelaja noted that criticism is a germane component of all fledgling society and the government should not be afraid of critics, because most of the citizens wants good governance, in the absence of that, they will continue to agitate and demand for improved economy, welfare and things that will better their lives.
“Government must be able to take feedback from the people they are governing, they must not see their wailing as plot to sabotage or destroy their government, they should be in harmony with every citizen.
“Report also
shows that Sowore has not been feeling fine health wise, on a compassionate
ground, President Buhari should allow Sowore to go back to his wife
Dolapo Sowore and children.
” It will not be too good that Sowore who was a Presidential candidate is
detained for mobilizing a mass action to demand for good governance.
“Nigerians, civil society organizations both locally and internationally
should continue to prevail on the government, those detained must not be
forgotten in prison, irrespective of what they have done in the past.
“It is our believe that if the government is working for the citizens and making the economy to improve, there won’t be any need to clamp down on the citizens, a working govement will be too busy to be clamping down or arresting critics”.
Adelaja called on both the State and Federal government who has one activist, journalist or critic under their custody to set them free.