Warns against granting him asylum
*Asks FG to take action
By Joseph Erunke
ABUJA-A Coalition, Concerned Patriots for Peace and Development, has raised an alarm of alleged plans by the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, to incite violence in the country, using now-rested #EndSARS protests as a veritable platform.
In an open letter it addressed to the embassies of the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Germany, France, Canada among others, the group predicated its claim on intelligence at its disposal.
The letter was jointly signed by Dr Chibuzor Amechi (Coalition of Igbo professionals); Dr Aremu Gbenga (Coalition of Yoruba Elders for Peace and Good Governance); and Barr Mohammed ibrahim (Coalition of Northern Professionals) respectively.
READ ALSO:#EndSARS Protests: Everyone has right to protest – UN
In the alert entitled, “An Open Letter On The Plot By Sowore To Incite Violence Against The Federal Government”, the organisation wondered why Sowore seeks to revive an action that has since been suspended.
This, it added, was moreso that the promoters of the protests for the disbandment of the SARS, have since called-off the demonstrations, with a view to giving governments at all levels the benefit of the doubt.
Apart from dissolving the dreaded police squad, the federal and state governments are currently addressing other issues raised, one of which is the establishment of judicial commissions of inquiry, to deal with cases of brutality, extra-judicial killings and other excesses of the defunct SARS.
“We are constraint by events of the last one week to write this open letter to you, to intimate you of premeditated moves by one Omoyele Sowore to incite public disturbance against the Nigerian Government”,the group said.
The letter reads: “Your Excellency, our resort to this open letter is occasioned by the urgency of the situation, as intelligence at our disposal has confirmed that Sowore, who certainly has sponsors, has concluded plans to hijack the now-rested #EndSARS protests, to allegedly cause anarchy in Nigeria, thereby instigating an illegal change of Government.
“As a guide, may we draw your attention to the protests of Sunday, November 1, 2020 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, and the Force Headquarters’ precincts – all in Abuja – as well as that of Friday, November 6, at the entrance to the National Assembly, which were led by Sowore.
“With benefit of hindsight, we fear that this ongoing move has the potential of disrupting the peace and security of the country that is yet to recover from the killings, looting and destruction of public and private property that attended the wave of nationwide proests, a few weeks ago.
“We are alarmed that Sowore, who was barred by a Federal High Court in Abuja from participating in, or addressing public rallies/protests, as part of the conditions for his bail, will be spear-heading this latest affront.
“This valid court order, which has not been set aside, either by the trial court, or by the Court of Appeal, is pending the determination of the criminal charge.
“For a man facing a 7-count charge bordering on treason , money laundering and cyber stalking, occasioned by his earlier failed attempt to lead a revolution against the democratically-elected Government of President Muhammadu Buhari – through the instrumentality of #Revolution Now movement, one would have thought that introspection and soul-searching would be his preoccupation”.
The organisation said it took the pain of chronicling the antecedents of Sowore, to “reconcile you to the intelligence at our disposal, which is a product of painstaking investigation of his antics”.
“Or, how else will one situate this latest attempt at re-launching and reviving an action, whose original/genuine promoters have since suspended, to give both the Federal and State Governments the chance to address the concerns that triggered the mass protests?”, it asked rather rhetorically.
According to the coalition, considering the monumental losses that occasioned the hijack of the protest by hoodlums, and its consequential effects on the socio-economic life of the nation, only “unpatriotic elements” like Sowore would support, let alone promote another wave of protests, which end cannot be predicted.
It said, in the event that Sowore was called to question, and escapes to seek asylum outside the country, he should be denied such privilege.
“We, therefore, request your Excellency to take note of the deliberate acts of incitement and violence being orchestrated by Sowore, to deny him asylum, in the event that he seeks any, after succeeding in his wicked agenda”, the group stated in the letter.
It concluded thus: “We trust that the Nigerian Government will activate the relevant laws within its disposal, to rein in this man, whose “dog-in-the-manger” tendency must not be allowed accommodation.
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) only favours change of government through the instrumentality of the ballot – an exercise that comes after a period of four years.
“We advise politicians, whose quest for power was not successful, to wait and test their popularity in the next round of elections, rather than seek to instigate unrest, to satisfy their selfish ends, and those of their pay-masters”.
