TheCable

The US Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Affairs (DRL) says it is deeply concerned that Omoyele Sowore, convener of #RevolutionNow, has been rearrested.

The bureau is under the US Department of State, the equivalent of Nigeria’s foreign affairs ministry.

In a tweet on Saturday, the office said respect for the rule of law, judicial Independence, political and media freedom and due process are the principles of democracy.

“We are deeply concerned that #Sowore has been re-detained in #Nigeria, shortly after a court ordered he be released on bail,” the bureau tweeted.

“Respect for rule of law, judicial independence, political and media freedom, and due process are key tenets of #democracy.”

We are deeply concerned that #Sowore has been re-detained in #Nigeria, shortly after a court ordered he be released on bail. Respect for rule of law, judicial independence, political and media freedom, and due process are key tenets of #democracy.

— Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (@StateDRL) December 7, 2019

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Many Nigerians commenting on the tweet described the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration as a “military regime and tyrannical.”

Thank you for highlighting this matter. The country Nigeria is currently under tyranny but you may not hear much of it because the citizens are gagged and under assault and constant threat of violence from the federal government. Please be a voice for justice for us. #freeSowore

— Happy Harper (@truthbtold2day2) December 8, 2019

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We are under siege. Our president no longer obey court orders. They arrest people indiscriminately without respect to rule of law. He forcefully remove Chief Justice of Nigeria few months to his re-elections. We need help from you. Nobody is safe in Nigeria

— Asiwaju Babajide (@AsiwajuE) December 8, 2019

The Nigerian democracy is under attack.

— Senior comrade (@Roggedybaba) December 8, 2019

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However, some others expressed solidarity with the action of the DSS.

It was done in accordance with rule of law and 85% Nigerians are pleased with it.

— #I'm Ubaid (@usabluv) December 8, 2019

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But there are so many "terrorists" in your prison without trial abeg face your lane. Nigeria can handle our thing but you can return our looted funds kept in your country #Alagabagebe

— Kunle Raji (@generalshibu) December 8, 2019

When Sowore was breaking Nigerian laws as he made damning treasonable pronouncement and also damned the consequences, where was this organisation that is now acting as a world police in purely Nigeria's internal security matter as a sovereign state?

— Folá Raheem (@folarus) December 8, 2019

Sowore was rearrested in Abuja by the Department of State Services (DSS) on Friday. Armed DSS operatives reportedly chased the judge away in the process of arresting the publisher of Sahara Reporters.

Before he was released on Thursday, the #RevolutionNow convener had spent 125 days in DSS custody.