Release Sowore, Stop Embarrassing Nigeria In Global Eyes, Soyinka Says To Buhari.

The unlawful arrest and detention of Sowore, who is also the publisher of SaharaReporters, have been greeted with public outcry, both locally and publicly, condemning the actions.

Prof. Wole Soyinka, Nobel laureate, has called on the Nigerian government to release pro-democracy activist Omoyele Sowore and save the country from further global embarrassment.

A recent publication by the Washington Post accused Buhari of presiding over a democratic Nigeria like a military regime where citizens' freedom is minimal.

Soyinka, in a statement on Wednesday, condemned the use of live bullets to disperse protesters calling for the release of Sowore.

Members of the Concerned Nigerian and the Enough is Enough were assaulted by the Department of State Services' operatives.

A journalist with The Guardian and Yemi Adamolekun of EiE were brutalized. 

"It should become abundantly clear by now that civil society organizations, committed to the entrenchment of the rule of law and the defence of fundamental human rights must come together. This is not a new cry. They must meet, debate, and embark on a binding pact of tactical responses whenever these two pillars of civilized society are besieged by the demolition engines of state security agencies.

"The sporadic, uncoordinated responses as in the case of Omoyele Sowore, the absence of a solid strategy, ready to be activated against any threat — these continue to enable these agencies in their mission to enthrone a pattern of conduct that openly scoffs at the role of the judiciary in national life. Result? A steady entrenchment of the cult of impunity in the dealings of state with the citizenry – both individuals and organizations. The level of arrogance has crossed even the most permissive thresholds.

"Such a development is not only callous and inhuman, but it is also criminal. It escalates already untenable defiance by the state. As I remarked from the onset, this is an act of government insecurity and paranoia that merely defeats its real purpose. And now – bullets? This is no longer comical. Perhaps it is necessary to remind this government of precedents in other lands where, even years after the event, those who trampled on established human rights that generate homicidal impunity are called to account for abuse of power and crimes against humanity. The protests for Sowore’s release go beyond only acts of solidarity, they are manifestations of the judgment and authority of courts of law, under which this nation is supposedly governed. Either it is, or it isn’t. The answer stares us all in the face. The principles that now fall under threat implicate more than one individual under travail. They involve the very entitlement of a nation to lay claim to membership of any democratic, humanized union.

"Enough of this charade, nothing more than a display of crude, naked power. Release Omoyele Sowore and save us further embarrassment in regard of the world. An apology to the nation by the DSS and the judiciary would also not be out of place. It would go some distance in redeeming the image of an increasingly fascistic agency and reduce the swelling tide of public disillusionment.

"Let the rule of law reign. Failing that, have the honesty to proclaim the death of ordered society. Then we’ll all know just where we stand."