The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the call for “Revolution Now” by Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2019 general elections, was capable of creating instability in the country.
The APC, in a statement issued by Lanre Issa-Onilu, its National Publicity Secretary, justified the arrest of Sowore by the Department of State Services (DSS), saying the actions of the activist were condemnable.
It insisted that the arrest of Sowore was legal as his actions and utterances portend an underlying security implication for the country, which may escalate for the worse if not effectively and promptly tackled.
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The ruling party called on all Nigerians to ignore the calls of persons it described as “unpatriotic elements” who are are expressing dissatisfaction over a legitimate action by the DSS, maintaining that Nigeria is not a banana republic.
The statement read: “The All Progressives Congress (APC) calls on Nigerians to reject the toxic messages and criminal antics of some individuals and partisans who have embarked on a campaign of calumny against the government and are calling for a forceful takeover of government. They are cowards and enemies of Nigeria,” APC said.
“Predictably, some desperate individuals, sore losers, and their sympathisers are acting in vain trying to pull the wool over the eyes of Nigerians. Of course, the disgruntled presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alh. Atiku Abubakar is expectedly the patron and cheerleader of the unpatriotic elements who would rather bring our country down for being rejected at the polls.
“The desperate attempt to politicise a legitimate action by the security agencies and futile effort to spread falsehood to create chaos in the country are clearly irresponsible actions.
“We call on Nigerians to look at the issue of Sowore’s arrest dispassionately devoid of the skewed narratives and sentiments being propagated by these individuals. Sowore arrived the country recently and openly threatened a revolution against a constitutionally recognised and legitimate government.
“Should the DSS and other security services have dismissed the declaration and the underlying implications as a non- issue? No intelligence/security agency worth its calling takes issues like this with levity.
“Nigeria is not a banana republic, we are a country with a democratically-elected government, governed by laws. Our laws are clear on Sowore’s actions. It is treason. No one should be allowed to get away with any attempt to destabilize this country.”
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The APC defended President Muhammadu Buhari, saying his administration has respected the principle of rule of law and will undertake decisive actions to ensure the security of the country’s territorial integrity and her citizens.
The party urged Nigerians not to view Sowore’s arrest as a political gimmick by the Federal Government, rather as a timely intervention to save the country from unpalatable consequences.
“From elections to governance and general conduct, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has demonstrated its adherence and defence of the rule of law over politics and sundry interests.
“Again, on the safety of Nigerians, the current government has been decisive in addressing any action that threatens the country’s unity, peace, and our democracy. Sowore’s arrest is another testament to our unshaken resolve in this regard.
“Finally, the effects of instability being championed by these cowards and enemies of Nigeria are disastrous. The same proponents of a forceful takeover will be the first to flee the country with their loved ones while the ordinary Nigerian suffers the disastrous consequences,” the statement read.
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