Omoyele Sowore, the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, has said the decision of the Federal Government of Nigeria to drop a treasonable felony charge against him did not come as a surprise.
Sowore and his co-defendant, Olawale Bakare were arrested and prosecuted in 2019 by the government of former President Muhammadu Buhari for organising a nationwide protest, demanding the resignation of the former president over alleged corruption and human rights violation.
Despite court orders granting duo bail, they spent several months in detention and faced a lengthy and controversial trial that was marred by delays, adjournments, and alleged interference by the Department of State Services (DSS).
However, on February 15, 2024, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, filed a notice of discontinuance at the Federal High Court in Abuja, effectively ending the case that had dragged on for more than four years.
The notice stated that Fagbemi “was exercising his constitutional power to discontinue the charge” The notice did not state reason for the decision to withdraw the charge.
Speaking to Channels Television on February 16, Sowore, who was the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 general elections, said he had as always maintained his innocence and the legitimacy of his cause.
“They came to court in 2019, and DSS abducted me in front of a judge. If that is not punishment, then what is punishment?” he asked.
“But I did not break, I didn’t let them break me. That is the only good news I have for all of you. There is nothing that wasn’t expected. We knew that this was going to happen.”
He also accused the Buhari administration of being a “ruinous regime” that was bent on silencing any dissenting voice or opposition.
“Those in government led by Buhari would do everything to shut anybody who was opposed to that ruinous regime and the political party in power at that time which had continued till today,” he said.
He added that the discontinuation of the charge was not a favour or a gesture of goodwill from the government, but a result of the pressure and solidarity from the Nigerian people and the international community.
Sowore vowed to continue his activism and advocacy for a better Nigeria, saying that the #RevolutionNow movement was not over.
“We are not going to stop. We are going to continue to demand for the rights of the Nigerian people, for good governance, for accountability, for transparency, for security, for justice, for democracy,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to join him in the struggle for a new Nigeria that would work for all, and not for a few privileged elites.
He said he was optimistic that Nigeria would overcome its current challenges and emerge as a great nation.
“I have no doubt in my mind that Nigeria will be free. Nigeria will be great. Nigeria will be prosperous. Nigeria will be peaceful. And Nigeria will be happy,” he said.
