Nigerian Journalist and Political Activist Omoyele Sowore Arrested

By Democracy Now

Nigerian journalist and poitical activist Omoyele Sowore.  Photo: Mohamed Nanabhay

HAVANA TIMES – Human rights groups are demanding the Nigerian government release Nigerian journalist Omoyele Sowore after he was arrested Sunday. Authorities are claiming Sowore’s call for nationwide protests under the banner “Revolution Now” is an attempt to take over the government.

Sowore is a human rights activist and the publisher of the online news site Sahara Reporters. He ran against President Muhammadu Buhari earlier this year in an election he said “lacked a level playing field.” His party, Africa Action Congress, declared August 5 the start of the “Days of Rage,” inspired by the recent popular uprising in Sudan that toppled authoritarian ruler Omar al-Bashir. The protests went ahead this week despite Sowore’s arrest.

Just two days before he was arrested, Sowore tweeted, “All that is needed for a #Revolution is for the oppressed to choose a date they desire for liberty, not subjected to the approval of the oppressor. #RevolutionNow #DaysofRage #August5”.