Odinkalu Condemns Arrest Of Sowore, Asks Govt To Release Him
A former Chairman of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chidi Odinkalu, has reacted to the arrest of Omoyele Sowore, the convener of #RevolutionNow just as he asked for his release.
He described the arrest as unwarranted saying that democracy is based on disagreement and dialogue.
His words: “Democracy does not run like this. You run a democracy based on disagreement and dialogue. So Sowore has not stoned anybody, he has not wielded a knife. He just wanted to do a demonstration.
“Where is the crime? And he called #RevolutionNow. So why will you go and abduct him from his house at night because you think you have power.”
READ ALSO: Delta CSOs Warn Buhari To Free Sowore Or Face Wrath Of Masses
He said that the Nigerian government has continued to progress in error with the arrest of the convener of the #RevolutionNow adding that it would be difficult for him to call off the protest.
Odinkalu stated that arrest of Sowore would not stop the planned protest rather it would trigger people more. He, therefore, called on the Nigerian authority to release him as a matter of urgency.
According to him “If Sowore is calling for protest and you go and abducted him in his house. You know what you have done, you cannot get him to call off the protest anymore because Mandela said ‘Only a free man can negotiate’. That means If he cannot call off the protest them the protest will go continue.”
The human rights activist said that the only chance the government have is to leave Sowore alone. He added that Nigeria is not an emirate and people should be allowed to hold a peaceful protest in line with the constitution.
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