Sowore’s Defiance of Watch list: Courage or Ego?

By Anuoluwapo Lebi

It is becoming clearer that the Nigeria Government is more afraid of protest than bandits, terrorists, insurgents, kidnappers and corrupt politician who has held Nigeria hostage for decades.

According to Wikipedia, On 1 August being the first day of the #endbadgovernanceprotests, scores were killed by the Army and Police in a bid to disperse the protesters across Nigeria. Four were shot dead in Borno State and four in Niger State. Three protesters were also reportedly killed in Kaduna State and two in Jigawa State, bringing the total number deaths to at least 14. In Kano State, four protesters were critically injured and taken to hospital. Jide Oyekunle, a photojournalist with the Daily Independent, was arrested and detained by police while reporting on the protests at Eagle Square in Abuja.

A report from the United Action Front of Civil Society stated that 21 protesters were killed and over 1,100 arrested by police on the first day of the protests. Additionally, 175 people were injured.

On 2 August, one protester was killed in Abuja by the police. The State Security Service (SSS) arrested two organizers of the protests, identified as Kabir Shehu Yandaki and Habibu Ruma, in Katsina State.

Also, according to report by Business Day, Over 1,000 arrests have been made, and several deaths reported.

Furthermore, some protesters, including minors were charged for treason, leading a Federal High Court in Abuja eventually granting ten #EndBadGovernance protesters who were arrested and detained for treason among others, a 10million Naira bail.

While reacting to Nigeria government’s charges against peaceful protesters, renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana condemned the increasing use of treason charges against protesters in the country. He noted that “I have been under pressure in the last 24 hours from Nigeria and abroad. People are wondering why the charge of treason is being trivilised in our country. How can you say that because people protested, they are being charged with treason?”, Falana enquired.

In the trend of event, The Sun reported on August 7, that the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and heads of security agencies directed the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS) to arrest human rights activist and former presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, and other ‘sponsors’ of nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest placed on watch-list.

Despite Sowore knowing that his name was on Nigeria securities’ watchlist, vowed “to return home very soon” despite the directives to arrest him on arrival. The Daredevil presidential candidate of the African Action Congress in the 2023 election, Omoyele Sowore left Washington Dulles International Airport at 6.14 EDT and arrived in Lagos at around 9.43 am, and was arrested on Sunday morning at Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos State.

In a post via his official X handle, Sowore disclosed that he had been detained by the Nigerian Immigration Service and his international passport had been confiscated.
He wrote, “I had just arrived in Nigeria from the USA at MMIA in Lagos; upon reaching Nigerian Immigration, my passport was seized, and they told me they had orders to detain me.

“This is not unexpected because I have always known that it is part of the broader clampdown by the fascist @officialAbat regime on dissent and their fear of the upcoming #FearlessINOctober revolt.

“In case this becomes another prolonged and protracted detention, I urge our citizens to ensure they ALL stop tyranny by all means acceptable and necessary, by engaging in the planned series of direct actions slated for 1 October and beyond.”

Recall that Sowore had criticised the secret police for upgrading his status and name on its “watchlist”.

Sahara Reporter reported that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) detaining the #RevolutionNow convener, Omoyele Sowore, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos released the activist after few minutes of detention.

During an interview that with AriseTV, Sowore noted that” I am a Nigerian, and no Nigerian should be afraid of their own country simply because of some people in power.”

Sowore’s action may be viewed as dangerous and daring, considering the tremendous record of misgiving of the Nigeria state, however, illustrates courage, patriotism and consciousness.