TheCable

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has justified the arrest of Omoyele Sowore, convener of #RevolutionNow, saying Nigeria is not a banana republic.

The Department of State Services (DSS) had arrested Sowore on Saturday over his call for a protest against “bad governance in Nigeria”.

In a statement by Lanre Issa-Onilu, national publicity secretary of the APC, the ruling party said the arrest of Sowore should be seen as a “legal and timely action” by security agencies to protect the country against actions that threaten its collective peace and safety.

The party also accused Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the “patron of unpatriotic elements” who would like to bring own the country.

“The All Progressives Congress (APC) calls on Nigerians to reject the toxic messages and criminal antics of some individuals and partisans who have embarked on a campaign of calumny against the government and are calling for a forceful takeover of government. They are cowards and enemies of Nigeria,” APC said.

“Predictably, some desperate individuals, sore losers, and their sympathisers are acting in vain trying to pull the wool over the eyes of Nigerians. Of course, the disgruntled presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alh. Atiku Abubakar is expectedly the patron and cheerleader of the unpatriotic elements who would rather bring our country down for being rejected at the polls.

“The desperate attempt to politicise a legitimate action by the security agencies and futile effort to spread falsehood to create chaos in the country are clearly irresponsible actions.

“We call on Nigerians to look at the issue of Sowore’s arrest dispassionately devoid of the skewed narratives and sentiments being propagated by these individuals. Sowore arrived the country recently and openly threatened a revolution against a constitutionally recognised and legitimate government.

“Should the DSS and other security services have dismissed the declaration and the underlying implications as a non- issue? No intelligence/security agency worth its calling takes issues like this with levity.

“Nigeria is not a banana republic, we are a country with a democratically-elected government, governed by laws. Our laws are clear on Sowore’s actions. It is treason. No one should be allowed to get away with any attempt to destabilize this country.”

The party added that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari would not be found wanting “where it is required to take decisive actions”, saying enforcement of relevant laws should apply to every Nigerian irrespective of status.

“From elections to governance and general conduct, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has demonstrated its adherence and defence of the rule of law over politics and sundry interests,” APC said.

“Again, on the safety of Nigerians, the current government has been decisive in addressing any action that threatens the country’s unity, peace, and our democracy. Sowore’s arrest is another testament to our unshaken resolve in this regard.

“Finally, the effects of instability being championed by these cowards and enemies of Nigeria are disastrous. The same proponents of a forceful takeover will be the first to flee the country with their loved ones while the ordinary Nigerian suffers the disastrous consequences.”