“He Is Not A Criminal”: Peter Obi, NLC Fume As Police Allegedly Break Sowore’s Arm
- The continued detention of the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, sparked widespread criticism in the polity
- The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Labour Party's Peter Obi condemned the inhumane action allegedly meted out against Sowore by the Nigeria Police Force
- Peter Obi and the NLC called for the immediate release of the human rights activist Sowore, insisting that "Nigeria will not slide into the dark days of dictatorship"
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), have slammed the Nigeria Police Force over the continued detention of human rights activist Omoyele Sowore.
Source: Facebook
While condemning the arrest of the activist, the NLC also said it would not allow Nigeria to slide into the dark days of dictatorship, where fear replaced freedom.
Peter Obi, in a post shared on his X page, on Thursday night, August 7, condemned the treatment meted out against Sowore despite voluntarily honouring the police invitation.
Police allegedly break Sowore’s arm
Legit.ng earlier reported that Amnesty International accused Nigerian police of violently assaulting detained activist Omoyele Sowore during an early morning transfer attempt.
Sowore reportedly sustained a broken arm after resisting being taken to court without access to legal counsel.
The rights group demanded immediate medical attention for Sowore and accountability for what it described as a blatant abuse of due process.
Source: Facebook
NLC, Obi demand immediate release of Sowore
Reacting to his detention, Peter Obi described Sowore's arrest as an abuse of state power.
He, therefore, urged the police to immediately release Sowore or formally charge him to court.
"His arrest, particularly under circumstances where he presented himself in good faith to law enforcement, should be condemned by all who value justice and due process. From all indications, no urgency or criminal flight risk warranted such high-handed treatment.
"I therefore call on the Nigerian Police to immediately release Omoyele Sowore or charge him formally under the law. Anything short of this would be a further erosion of public trust in the nation’s law enforcement institutions," Obi tweeted.
Also, in a statement on Thursday, August 7, the president of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, wondered why the police could not explore legal options instead of “unending” arrest of the renowned activist.
“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 rights .
He added:
“We cannot allow Nigeria to slide back into the dark days of dictatorship, where fear replaces freedom and dissent is met with brute force.
“Accordingly, we demand therefore; the immediate and unconditional release of Omoyele Sowore.”
Read more about Sowore here:
- Sowore reacts as Tinubu rewards Super Falcons $100k each
- Sowore allege police officer stole his AI eyeglasses
Atiku reacts to Sowore’s arrest
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that former vice president Atiku Abubakar condemned the alleged assault and maltreatment of Omoyele Sowore.
Atiku, in a post shared on his X page on Thursday, August 7, described the incident as a “shameful abuse of power” and an act of personal vendetta by the Nigeria Police Force.
“The treatment of @YeleSowore by the IGP Monitoring Team is a shameful abuse of power. It is wrong, unlawful, and must be condemned by all who believe in justice,” Atiku tweeted.
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Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
