The National President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Comrade Chris Isiguzo has commended the government on the recent release of, Human rights activist and convener of Revolution Now Omoyele Sowore, and also Col. Rambo Dasuki rtd from DSS custody, tagging it a good Christmas present for the duo and democracy at large.
The NUJ President made these statement, at the late hour of the 24th day of December, 2019 when he formally welcomed the duo, stressing that it’s a welcomed development, although belated, but “it’s better late than never”
Comrade Chris also urged the government to also release other political detainees as well as journalists who are also caught in like webs mostly by their host state governments taking cognizance of the incarceration of Agba Jalingo , who has missed out on this Christmas celebration because he is in detention on orders of Cross River State Government, urging thatthe Federal government should intervene by ordering his immediate release.
Read below his full speech
I wish to formally welcome the release of Mr. Omoyele Sowore and Col Sambo Dasuki rtd from the DSS custody today on the orders of the Federal Government. This is indeed a welcome development and a good Christmas Present for not just the duo but for democracy. Two key ingredients of democratic governance are Respect for Rule of Law and Free Speech (Press Freedom) and once they are not respected, democracy will certainly be under threat.
I applaud the government for doing the needful albeit belatedly but it’s better late than never. I also urge the government to release other political detainees as well as journalists who have been clamped into detention based on trumped up charges especially by some state governments. A case in point is the incarceration of Agba Jalingo, who is presently in detention on the orders of Cross River State Government. The Federal Government should quickly intervene by ordering his immediate release.
Democracy is about the people and any action that undermines people’s right to free expression remains unacceptable. Despite the challenges, Nigerians must continue to keep hope alive.
Comrade Chris Isiguzo
NUJ President
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