A human rights group, the Centre for the Vulnerable and Underprivileged, CENTREP, on Monday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately release Omoyele Sowore from the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS.
The group however condemned Sowore’s call for a revolution against the Buhari-led Federal Government.
This is coming as the planned revolution protest which was expected to take place nationwide on August 5, failed to hold in Warri and its environs and in other places in Delta State.
CENTREP Executive Director, Mr. Oghenejabor Ikimi Esq said he is calling for the release of Sowore because Buhari himself had called for a revolution in 2011 through his Aide, Mr. Odumakin.
The legal practitioner said, “On that basis, his Government should release Omoyele immediately. However, I am not in support of a revolution in this Country.
“If a revolution starts now, those who called for it will fly out of the Country and it is the poor masses that will suffer the brunt of violent change of Government.”
Ikimi said Section 39 Subsection 31 gives every citizens the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, stressing that the constitution does not recognise revolution.
He also added that Section 45 Subsection 1 of the Constitution said the State can withdraw the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly of any citizen if there’s a threat to defence, security, public peace, morality and public order.
While noting that a revolution is not needed at the moment in the Country, Ikimi said, “Omoyele should keep his revolution till 2023 and express it through the ballot box.”
Ikimi pointed out that people are still suffering the consequences of Arab spring.
“In Libya, there is no peace. In Egypt, the Muslim brotherhood took over and the President is Sissi. The Army still rule Egypt till tomorrow. There is no peace in Sudan as a result of the protest match which saw the removal of Umar Al Bashir,” he said.
Ikimi warned that those supporting Omoyele’s call for a revolution should be careful, stressing that “Wole Soyinka will fly out of the Country if the revolution starts. Come through the ballot box.”