The recent arrest and continued detention of activist Mr. Omoyele Sowore, for merely exercising his democratic right to protest, remains a dark dent on Nigeria’s democratic credentials. Today, it is increasingly difficult to differentiate between military rule and democratic governance, as both now seem to deploy similar instruments of suppression against dissenting voices.
Across the country, many Nigerians are languishing in various detention centres for simply expressing their frustrations over the state of the nation. We have not forgotten the End SARS saga, when the world watched in disbelief as live bullets were fired at unarmed citizens who only demanded justice and accountability.
Nigeria today is plagued by extreme poverty amidst vast natural wealth. Our nation is blessed with abundant resources, yet citizens wallow in hunger, unemployment, and deprivation because the political elite have looted or mismanaged the nation’s patrimony. Rather than address these failures, the government deploys coercive force to silence dissenting voices, using intimidation as a weapon of governance.
Institutions of government, meant to serve the people, have been reduced to instruments of bullying and repression. There is palpable fear in the land; anger and despair are rising daily — dangerous signs that no responsible government should ignore.
The International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights (ISSJHR) hereby demands the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Nigeria. We call on the government to retrain the security forces in line with democratic principles and international human rights standards, and for the judiciary to rise courageously in defence of the Constitution and the sovereignty of the Nigerian people.
Nigeria sits precariously on a keg of gunpowder. Those in power must take urgent steps to redress injustice, heal divisions, and restore confidence in governance. The time has come to convoke a *Sovereign National Conference* to draft a truly people-oriented constitution that will promote justice, equality, and enduring peace.
It must be clearly stated that tyranny has never produced development — it only destroys nations. The likes of Omoyele Sowore and other activists are torchbearers of a free society, not enemies of the state. Caging them like criminals makes Nigeria a laughing stock before the civilized world.
The Nigerian government has violated several international human rights conventions, including:
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ratified and domesticated by Nigeria in 1983)
The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
The UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders (1998)
To ratify and domesticate these conventions yet violate them so openly is not only hypocritical but a grave act of irresponsibility that undermines Nigeria’s moral standing before the international community.
We warn that if those in authority continue on this path of oppression and impunity, they risk inadvertently luring the military back to power — a move that would constitute a monumental setback to Nigeria’s democratic evolution and national development.
Today, hunger has been weaponized to intimidate citizens into silence. But the patience of a hungry and oppressed people has limits. It is only a matter of time before bottled-up frustrations explode into mass unrest.
We must begin to treat one another with utmost respect and humility if we truly wish to live together as people of one nation. Those in power must remember that if they fail to control their controversies, their controversies will soon control them.
I solemnly warn that:
“The strength of the commoners is the robe of the nobles. If the commoners are weakened through the deliberate actions of the nobles, the dynamic of change will naturally be ignited. And the nobles will end up in rags instead of robes.”
This is a timely warning — a call for reflection, justice, and reform. Nigeria must rediscover her conscience, restore her humanity, and return to the path of truth, equity, and compassion. Anything less is a betrayal of the sacrifices made by our heroes past.
Dr. Omenazu Jackson is the
Chancellor, International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights (ISSJHR) issjhr.justice@yahoo.com
