LAGOS – The African Action Congress (AAC), Lagos State Chapter, has strongly condemned what it termed the continued persecution of its National Leader, Comrade Omoyele Sowore, by security agents.
The party, in a statement signed by Jegede Kehinde Olatunji, its State General Secretary, and Adetayo Daniel Babatunde, the Publicity Secretary, recalled the recent arrest and re-arrest of Sowore in Abuja during a peaceful protest over continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, describing the police action as shameful and unlawful.
It stressed that it was highly disturbing that President Bola Tinubu’s government had been pushing democracy to destruction, lamenting that he administration had been using state security to victimise any passive critics, including pressmen.
It noted that dozens of people, including pressmen had been arrested, both by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors and presidency, stressing that “democracy is wrecked in Nigeria as Bola Tinubu is intolerant of the oppositions and opposing voices.”
AAC lamented that the fresh attack on Sowore’s liberty was not only a gross violation of his fundamental human rights, but also a direct assault on the principles of democracy, freedom of speech, and political participation enshrined in the nation’s Constitution.
It added: “The continuous persecution of Comrade Sowore — an activist, journalist, and symbol of civic resistance — exposes the deepening intolerance of the ruling class towards dissent and opposition voices in Nigeria.
“We are stating categorically that right to assembly and expression through peaceful protest is an inalienable right of the citizens and there is no place in the constitution that restricts people from where or place to protest against oppression and unpopular policy of government, neither can such verdict be gotten through a court order.”
It maintained that the show of shame of the Presidency and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, using state securities to seek personal vendetta was unacceptable.
AAC stressed: “We will not take it lightly if more harm comes to our leader, Omoyele Sowore, as already, he has been assaulted, harassed and abused.
“The AD, AC, ACN and now APC criticised the past government of PDP, opposed past government policies and called Presidents all sorts of names, why are you crying foul now that it is your turn to face opposition?
“The AAC Lagos State views your action as a desperate attempt to silence a movement that speaks truth to power and mobilises Nigerians toward genuine change, justice, and good governance.
“We declare unequivocally that no amount of intimidation, unlawful detention, or coercion can suppress the collective will of the people or derail our mission for a free and prosperous Nigeria.”
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