The Young People Congress, NYC, with Civil Society Group have called on the Inspector-General of Police, Leadership of the National Assembly and other well-meaning Nigerians to address the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike to reverse his actions against a lawmaker, Farah Dagogo.
The President of NYC, Mr Blessing Akinlosotu, disclosed this to journalists during a Press Briefing in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital.
According to the group, this measure will help ensure his unconditional release and restoration of his right to participate in the Rivers State Gubernatorial electoral processes with no further harassment and intimidation.
Mr Akinlosotu said that “they are giving the Governor of River State, Nyesom Wike forty-eight hours ultimatum to free the man.
“injury to one is injury to all,” he stated.
He noted that Dagogo remains one of our most reliable and fast-rising young political leaders, with excellent prospects in the forthcoming Governorship Election in River State, who has creditably represented his constituency and the Nigerian Youths at the Green Chambers effectively well.
“This development, for us, goes far beyond partisan politics in Rivers State, it is a huge threat to democracy and Rule of Law in Nigeria at large,” he said.
He said that “with much displeasure, Gov. Wike had laid an unfounded accusation against Dagogo of causing a breach of law and order somewhere within the State, and hurriedly declared Dagogo wanted, through his Media Aide Kelvin Ebiri.
This led to the politically motivated arrest of this youthful and progressive federal lawmaker at the venue of his Screening Exercise for the governorship race.”
He added that the Nigerian Youth Congress and the entire Civil Society Leaders had made vast enquiries into this matter among stakeholders, including the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC.
It has been discovered that Dagogo is highly cherished across Rivers State and within Nigeria for his doggedness in pursuing courses on the well-being of the masses.
His conspicuous role in the liberation struggle of the Niger Delta resulted in the Presidential Amnesty Programme, which has brought substantial peace and development to the State, Region and Nigeria.
According to him, “it is, therefore, totally unacceptable to the Nigerian Youth and Civil Society for a young lawmaker of such pedigree and impressive track records to be unlawfully arrested and detained in that manner and for this long, under the circumstances shrouded in mystery and secrecy with trump up charges,” he said.
The Chief Convener, Coalition of Civil Society Organization for Justice and Equity, Comrade Olayemi Success, says injustice somewhere is injustice everywhere. He called on Governor Wike to retrace his steps, adding that he could not stop another person from the opportunity to contest.
He said that “even as he is looking for Nigerians’ support, he cannot stop another person.”
The National Coordinator, Niger Delta Youth Council, NDYC, Mr Jalor Abido, says the Governor should not suppress a freedom fighter as the youths will not support him.
The briefing had present, Chief Advocate, Network for Young Advocates for Democracy and Good Governance, Mazi Oscar Kalu, President, Nigeria Female Youth Organization, Princess Mimi Peter, Executive Director, Centre for Advocacy & Development in Africa, Uzor Ifeanyi, National Coordinator, Foundation for Future Generations, Ibrahim Yusuf, and Convener, Coalition for Civil Society for Good Governance, Comrade Okpanachi Jacob amongst others.
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