Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, has described the arrest of Omoyele Sowore, shortly after his purported release as a national tragedy, saying the situation that played out at the court has only indicated that Nigeria has lost its drift as a democratic nation.
Speaking at the weekend, Aare Adams insisted that the situation in the country has only justified that the rule of law is gradually dying, while the Federal Government remains helpless.
“With what happened at the court, it reminded me of the dark era of the military, but ironically, the present government under President Muhammadu Buhari is liken to the military junta of the late Sanni Abacha where the military held sway for years.
“I have been watching events as they unfold, but I am saddened that the event that transpired in the court was a testimony that Nigeria has a long way to go. The Department of State Services (DSS) failed to respect the rule of law and it was a sad reminder of the military era.
Adams expressed sadness that the prolonged detention of Sowore has affected the image of Nigeria, because the world is watching the government with keen interest.
“This is not the democracy we fought for between 1993 and 1998. I remember vividly as activists and pro-democracy groups, we put our lives on the line to ensure that our dreams for this democracy became a reality. Now, democracy is here, but we have lost touch with the ideals of a democratic setting as it is practised in other climes.
Adams also flayed the stringent bail condition given to Sowore, saying it was a ploy to strangle justice.
He admitted that the restrictions of his movement to only Abuja has only justified that this government is using the DSS to frustrate perceived oppositions.
He, however, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to release Sowore unconditionally for him to redeem the image of the country
“I remember during the inglorious years of the late Abacha, the names of those that acted on his behalf, all the actors that used his name and state machinery to perpetrate evil were not mentioned now, it was Abacha’s name that kept ringing, and remained in the dustbin of history, while a few others are still alive today to enjoy their loots at the expense of the people.
“Therefore, I am using this opportunity to advise President Buhari not to allow these set of people at the corridors of power to use his name and the office of the presidency to perpetrate evil that could later discredit his name in the future,” he said.
