Steer Clear Of Rivers - Governor Wike Warns #RevolutionNow Protesters

 

 

The revolution march tagged: #RevolutionNow being spearheaded by the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) Omoyele Sowore drew reactions on Sunday from notable Nigerians and groups.

Prof Wole Soyinka disagreed with security agencies that the planned march amounted to treason. He said there was nothing treasonable in it.

The literary giant accused the security agencies of behaving predictably.

Activist-lawyer Femi Falana toed Soyinka’s line. He urged the DSS to either release Sowore or arraing him in court.

He said: “The State Security Service should release Mr. Omoyele Sowore, one of the conveners of the protests. In the alternative, he should be arraigned in court if there is reasonable suspicion that he has contravened any penal statute. However, the nation’s security agencies should stop embarrassing President Buhari who had cause, from 2003-2014,  to lead peaceful rallies to protest election malpractice and insecurity in the country.”

Mike Ozekhome (SAN) accused the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration of not being tolerant to criticism.

Ozekhome, who appeared as a guest on Channels Television’, said the government is “allergic to plurality of voices and criticism”.

He said: “Dancing on the street saying we don’t want bad governance how does that amount to treason, unreasonable felony?

“This government is allergic to plurality of voices, this government is allergic to criticism; this government is allergic to opinions. This government should know that Nigeria is a country with many colours.

“You cannot sample opinions. We cannot all sleep on the same bed. This government should learn to be tolerant,” he said.

But Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike warned the protesters to steer clear of the state, stressing that nobody should attempt the #RevolutionNow protest in Rivers.

According to him, Rivers State is not part of the #RevolutionNow protest and whatever illegal agenda it seeks to pursue.

Speaking through his media aide Simeon Nwakaudu, the governor said: “Rivers State does not subscribe to what the RevolutionNow protest represents and Rivers State is not part of the protest.”

The governor directed security agencies to arrest anybody involved in the #RevolutionNow protest and also prosecute such persons.

Governor Wike urged parents to guard their wards from being misled by agents of the march to disrupt peace in the state.

“All council chairmen are directed to be at alert. If they suspect any illegal gathering, they should report to the security agencies for immediate action,” Wike was quoted as saying.