By Olanrewaju Adesanya
SUNRISE NEWS, Lagos, Aug. 5, 2020 – Piqued by the turn of events in recent times as it concerns the outright intolerance for freedom of expression in Nigeria by the powers that be, the Center for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR) is calling for a speedy intervention of the National Assembly to forestall an alleged dictatorial tendencies of the General Mohammadu Buhari led administration or risk proliferation of protests.
The group in its reaction jointly signed by its National President Comrade Alex Omotehinse and the Publicity Secretary Comrade Ewajane Osowo on the arrest of Comrade Agba Jalingo and other protesters on Wednesday 5th of August,2020 in Lagos and Abuja respectively by the joint Task force comprising of the Military and police officers,notes that the development is needless as the protesters were peacefully protesting the societal misnomer cited, an act duly guaranteed by the dictates of the constitution .
CHSR also outrightly condemned the arrest of the said individuals and called for their immediate and unconditional release.
“The Protesters were protesting the current state of insecurity situation in the country, as well as the high level of corrupt practices, asking for free and qualitative education, demanding for accountability from those whom were saddled with the responsibility to handle the country’s economy.
“Where has any of this their demands became a crime that warrant this undemocratic, unconstitutional, and unlawful arrest?
“Comrade Agba Jalingo and other protesters converged peacefully at Ikeja Under bridge, near the computer village and were very peaceful before the arrival of the agent of the state that disperses the protesters with tear gas and arrested them, it was also reported that many of the innocent traders who are doing their legitimate businesses was affected by the teargas smoke which is not normal and uncalled for.
“Since on Saturday 3rd of August 2019 Mr. Sowore Omoyele the Presidential candidate of the AAC in the 2019 general elections and also the convener of the #REVOLUTIONNOW protest has been arrested by the DSS and charged with frivolous charges that warrants the court to grant him a strigent bail condition, which restrained him at Abuja, an action that infringed on his fundamental right to freedom of movement.
Adding that the protesters were alleged to have been heavily tortured and molested before they were whisked away by their abductors.
“The Inspector General of Police should know that he lacks such powers to debar the freedom of expression and movement of the people, the Chief of Army Staff should also know that this is democracy.
“Nigerians has right to protest therefore, the idea of allowing themselves and their offices to be used by the state to attack innocent citizens is unacceptable and will not go unchallenged.” CHSR said.
The group also appraised the antecedents of General Muhammadu Buhari since his attainment of the position of power to be laced with brutish stance against any anti-government pronouncements, which it claimed was a clearly unprecedented as Buhari was also a protest product.
“We need to reiterate it to this General Muhammadu Buhari led federal Government and his state agents, that the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria as amended gives every Nigerian rights to protest and freedom of expression with right to lawful assembly.
“Meanwhile, we also need to remind President Muhammadu Buhari what brought him to office maybe he must have forgotten so quick that it was PEOPLES REVOLUTION from 2014 to 2015 that leads to his emergence as the president of Nigeria.
During the last administration led by his predecessor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Nigerians protested against his government day and night but Jonathan never prevented nor arrest anybody for protesting against his government.
The President must be called to order by the National Assembly and he must know that this is a Democratic government not military government.
“When Jonathan was president in this country Buhari himself has led protest against Jonathan government, Buhari has insulted and accused several seating President in this country for mis-governance and he was not prevented nor arrested for exercising his constitutional right.
President Buhari should respect the citizens right to freedom of expression as he has enjoyed same in the past without been molested nor harassed.
For the record since Buhari was overthrown in 1985 nobody heard of him until he contested and lost election against Obasanjo in 2003.
“Buhari’s criticism of government in Nigeria began immediately he lost the election in 2003, he increased his volume of criticism in 2007 when he lost against his fellow stateman, late Yaradua in the 2007 election and 2011.
“This government has failed Nigerians therefore it deserves to be condemned, since the return to civil rule in 1999 Buhari’s regime recorded the highest arrest of critics. Buhari’s government has failed in all ramifications, security of life and property is zero, we can no longer travel safely on our roads, killings everywhere and kidnapping in high rate.
“The Boko Haram insurgence are still killing our soldiers and innocent Nigerians in the north even to the point of attacking a seating Governor’s convoy recently and herdsmen are killing villagers, instead for Buhari and his state agents to deem it fit to address that, they are most concern and busy chasing innocent citizens that are complaining.
“In an ideal society Buhari ought to have resigned as president for his government has failed to provide adequate security for Nigerians.
“We hereby call on the leadership of the National Assembly to call this president Buhari who has turn himself to civilian dictator to order and ensure the release of Comrade Agba Jalingo and other arrested innocent protesters unconditionally else he should be expecting more protest from now on.”