Jonathan Allowed You To Protest Freely; Fayose Rubbishies Tinubu Over Sowore’s Arrest
Isaac Fayose, brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, has condemned the arrest of human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, accusing President Bola Tinubu of attempting to silence critics.
Speaking in an interview with News Central on Thursday, Fayose expressed disappointment over the continued detention of Sowore, whom he described as a “voice for the voiceless.”
He noted that Sowore had been advocating for the welfare of police officers, including their pension and gratuity, yet the same security agents were being used to arrest him.
“No, you see the police and the law enforcement agents we have now are cash and carry,” Fayose said. “They can carry me tomorrow, I don’t care, because they are suffering. Someone is fighting for you to be a better person, to get your pension, to demand your rights, and yet you are still serving your slave masters.”
He criticised the government’s heavy-handed response to peaceful protests, questioning why security forces resorted to barricades and violence instead of dialogue.
“Abroad, protests are peaceful. Why all the barricades, the shootings, and intimidation here? Millions of Nigerians share Sowore’s view. When Tinubu was outside power, did former President Goodluck Jonathan arrest him? Jonathan allowed him to protest freely. So why is Tinubu doing harm to us now?” Fayose asked.
He urged Nigerians to stand up for their rights, saying it was a moral obligation to demand accountability from leaders.
“Omoyele Sowore has done the needful. He was out to ask for our rights. Any Nigerian who refuses to demand their rights is committing a sin against God and humanity,” he said.
Fayose also lamented the rising insecurity in the country, citing the abduction of a woman named Aisha in Edo State, which he said had not drawn any government response after 72 hours.
“Kidnapping has now become the order of the day. It’s like kidnapping is part of our constitution; the more you kidnap, the bigger you become. What is going on?” he asked.
He described Sowore as a true patriot and hero, saying Nigerians must not abandon those who speak up for justice.
“Omoyele Sowore is our hero. We don’t have another one,” he declared.
