The Coalition of former 2019 Presidential Aspirants and Candidates, under the aegis of Third Force Forum Tuesday demanded unconditional Omoyele Sowore, who was arrested by an agency of the government on August 2, 2019, over plans for a protest march across Nigeria.
According to the coalition in a letter addressed to President Muhamadu Buhari dated August, 4, 2019, made available to journalists in Ibadan, the planned call for protest by the arrested AAC Presidential candidate ” is within his full constitutional rights toward “Freedom of Expression”, pursuant to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
In the letter entitled “The Illegal Arrest of Omoyele Sowore” jointly signed by Hon. Tope Fasua, 2019 Presidential Candidate, Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP), Hon. Okey Samuel Mbonu, 2019 Presidential Aspirant, Labour Party (LPDr. SKC Ogbonnia, 2019 Presidential Aspirant, All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Thomas-Wilson Ikubese, 2019 Presidential Aspirant, Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) ,Dr. Emmanuel Etim, 2019 Presidential Candidate, Change Nigeria Party (CNP) , Dr. Ayodele O. Favour, 2019 Presidential Aspirant, Young Progressives Party (YPP) and Hon. Clement Jimbo, 2019 Presidential Aspirant, Social Democratic Party (SDP) , the Coalition noted “we must also remind you Mr. President, that in addition to the Nigerian Constitution, Nigeria also subscribes to other International Treaties, which prohibit violation of human rights of her citizens.
“We, the Coalition of former 2019 Presidential Aspirants and Candidates, under the aegis of Third Force Forum, hereby demand the unconditional release of one of our compatriots, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, who was arrested by an agency of the government on August 2, 2019, pursuant to plans for a protest march across Nigeria; which is within his full constitutional rights toward “Freedom of Expression”, pursuant to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
We must also remind you Mr. President, that in addition to the Nigerian Constitution, Nigeria also subscribes to other International Treaties, which prohibit violation of human rights of her citizens. To refrain from adhering to these national and international rights, is to invite anarchy onto the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” It said.
The Coalition in the letter copied to the Senate President and the Speaker, House of Representatives, added “as you are fully aware Mr. President, every democratic government that subscribes to the Rule of Law, has time-tested methods of containing any breach of the peace during peaceful protests; without clamping down on our fundamental rights of “Freedom of Expression” and to peaceably assemble, in-order to address grievances by the government; even when those views expressed are contrary to the views of the current government.
“Therefore, we implore you to immediately order the applicable agencies of the State to immediately release Mr. Omoyele Sowore unconditionally, in-order to maintain peace in our country, and to deter further national and international repercussions on this matter. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter Mr. President, we look forward to a mutually respectful Nigeria for all Nigerians.”
