5th of August 2020 Revolution Now: Stern Warning To The Nigerian Government

On August 5th 2020, owner of anti-corruption digital newspaper, saharareporters.com, Omoyele Sowore, has called for a nationwide protest against Nigeria’s Government. Sowore and group are calling for a change in leadership, policies, injustice, corruption, human rights abuses and other issues that have plagued the growth of the nation for several decades. Millions of Nigerians have remained impoverished while political leaders embezzle the wealth of the oil-rich nation that has witnessed minimal developments since the 1980s.

Press Release From Revolutionary Forum Lawyers:

We commend the organizers of the Revolutionnow movement for their gallantry in forcing accountability and transparency on the Nigerian government.

It will be recalled that exactly a year today, the convener of the Revolutionnow movement Mr Omoyele was illegally abducted by the government over trumped up charges.

Afterwards, the Revolutionnow protest which held nationwide last year was disrupted by security operatives leading to the injury, arrest, detention, victimisation and violation of the fundamental human rights of many Nigerians.

The Federal High Court was also invaded by police operatives as court officials had to scamper for their lives. More so, the State Security Service became a law unto itself.

Consequently, Nigeria was portrayed in a bad light before the international community and it became apparent that the Buhari administration is bereft of the fundamental essence of democracy and the rule of law.

The court has taken a position on the legality of the Revolutionnow Protest. In fact, the Court made a scapegoat of the Nigerian Police Force when it ordered the police to issue public apology in 3 national dailies for disrupting the protest last year. 

The Federal High Court per, Hon Justice Maureen Onyetenu held that the Revolutionnow Protest is absolutely constitutional and acceptable.

Against the foregoing, we wish to emphatically state that we are very much prepared to combat any illegal attempt to suppress citizens’ rights at the forthcoming Revolutionnow Protest. 

We shall not hesitate to bring the full wight of the law against anybody that attempt to unsettle protesters on August 5.

We hereby call on all Nigerians to troop out en masse on August 5 and protest against the failings of the Nigeria government without any fear or favour as their is maximum assurance of legal support for the protesters.

– *Tope Akinyode* National President, Revolutionary Lawyers’ Forum