The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Thursday, slammed authorities of the Nigerian Police Force over continued detention of the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore.
While condemning the arrest of the human rights activist, the NLC also said it would not allow Nigeria to slide into the dark days of dictatorship, where fear replaced freedom.
Police detectives on Wednesday quizzed and detained Sowore after he arrived at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, to honour an invitation.
The police, through the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit, investigated Sowore over what it described as “forgery and inciting disturbance.”
The police, in a letter addressed to Sowore’s lawyer, Tope Temokun, on Tuesday, noted that details of the petition against his client would be provided upon Sowore’s arrival at Force Headquarters.
Reacting to his detention via a statement on Thursday, President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, wondered why the police could not explore legal options instead of “unending” arrest of the renowned activist.
“We strongly condemn the frequent arrest and long spells in detention of Sowore, a renowned civil rights activist. It is all the more unacceptable if he was injured in the course of his arrest as it is being alleged.
“If Sowore has offended any big man or woman in government or has in any way offended the law, they should be bold enough to explore the legal options available such as going to court, but certainly not to resort to this level of harassment.
“How many times has Sowore been arrested this year alone?,” the labour leader queried.
Ajaero noted that the freedom of speech and freedom of association are some of inalienable rights guaranteed by the constitution, saying it is only fit and proper that the government is seen to respect these citizen-rights .
He added, “The NLC warns that silence in the face of such repression is complicity. If the state can arbitrarily detain Sowore today, no journalist, no trade unionist, no activist, and no ordinary citizen is safe tomorrow.
“We cannot allow Nigeria to slide back into the dark days of dictatorship, where fear replaces freedom and dissent is met with brute force.
“It soils the image of the government before its citizens and the international community when it behaves in a way that suggests that it is above the law.
“We are duty-bound to not only alert the nation to the inherent dangers of government observing these rights in breach but to point out the consequences of an observance in breach.
“Government like all the other citizens should be law-abiding not when it suits it but unconditionally. Irrespective what anyone may think, Sowore has become a moral compass we can ill-afford to treat with levity.
“Accordingly, we demand therefore; the immediate and unconditional release of Omoyele Sowore; an end to the harassment and intimidation of activists and all voices of dissent; full adherence to the rule of law and constitutional guarantees of free speech and assembly.
“The NLC stands in solidarity with all victims of repression and reaffirms its commitment to defending the rights of the working class and the oppressed. Nigeria should not descend into a police state. Strengthened Justice and Democracy is good for all!”
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