A coalition of human rights and civil society organsations have concluded arrangement to commemorate 10 years memorial anniversary of the death of the late legal luminary and human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, with a two million man-march against the illegal and continued incarceration of the Publisher of the online medium, Sahara Reporters and Convener of RevolutionNow Movement, Comrade Omoyele Sowore, and other political and revolutionary prisoners across the land.
A statement signed by the National Coordinator of the groups, Comrade Adeniyi Alimi Sulaiman, said that the organisations, under the aegis of Coalition of Human and Civil Rights Organizations (COHCRO), were also planning to hold interdenominational prayer for the repose of the soul of the late legal luminary and other heroes and heroines of our nurturing democracy, adding that the well-meaning Nigerians and lovers of genuine democracy would grace the event slated for Thursday September 5, 2019.
The statement noted that the planned march protest would draw members from no fewer than 53 organisations across the country and beyond, including artisans, transporters, market men and women, Coalition for Revolution (CORE) and a host of other.
He said that the protest would commence from Ikeja and end up at the Command Headquarters of the Department of State Security (DSS) in Shangisha, Lagos, where a protest letter would be submitted to the Head of the Command.
Rising from an emergency meeting on the “state of the nation in respect of the current economy, political and security challenges facing the land,” in Lagos on Monday, Comrade Sulaiman stated that “Fawehinmi was an icon of all times who lived an exemplary life and as well-lived for other Nigerians and Africans to live,” noting that the late lawyer would forever be remembered, especially by the downtrodden masses of the country.”
He said that the late social crusader would be remembered for the championing of the opening of the political space of the country through Constitutional means which made the country to operate a multi-party system of democracy presently, affirming that late Gani Fawehinmi was an incorruptible legal icon.
“He was also a rare gem who lived an exemplary life while on earth and as well contributed immensely to the development of the legal profession than any other lawyer in Nigeria, the groups,” National Coordinator said.
Comrade Sulaiman who doubles as Executive Chairman, Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ), noted that Sowore did not commit any offence that warranted his continued detention in the custody of State Security, describing the Court order of 45 days confinement of Sowore as diversionary tactics from the incompetence of President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government.
He also described the detention order of the court as “barbaric, archaic, undemocratic, politically motivated and abuse of judicial process which is against judicial international best practices.”
Speaking on the allegations leveled against Sowore and others by the security agents, he said the allegations lacked the modicum of truth and basis in a sane society of the world.
The statement also carpeted President Buhari’s order to the security agents to clamp down on anybody associated with Sowore and RevolutionNow protest, explaining, “as a law-abiding and reputable human rights organisations, we would not fold our arms and allow anti-democratic forces and fascist elements pretending to be democrats to subvert the Will of the Nigerians.”
It further alleged that Buhari came into power through popular struggle but “today is sliding into a tyrannical leader like Adolf Hitler”, adding: “No amount of intimidation from President Buhari and his security agents could make us drop our quest for just, better and prosperous nation.
“May God bless late Gani Fawehinmi in his grave for inspiring us to be courageous against any tyrannical government, even if we are standing alone, once we are convinced on the subject matter.
“The whole essence of Government is to make life better for the citizens and beauty of democracy in any clime is to have respect for inalienable rights of every citizen.”
Sulaiman, who is also the Convener, Save Lagos Group (SLG), called for the unconditional release of Sowore and others who were in custody in respect of recent RevolutionNow protests and other politically motivated prisoners like Col Sambo Dansuki (rtd).
