Sowore was detained as an activist, not a journalist - Presidency

- The presidency explains that Omoyele Sowore was not detained as an activist but one who tried to disturb public peace

- Garba Shehu says since becoming president, Muhammadu Buhari and his government have never detained a journalist

- Shehu says the government respects rule of law but will not allow anybody to threaten the country's peace

Hours after Omoyele Sowore, convener of the RevolutionNow movement was released, the presidency has explained that he was never detained as a journalist, but one who tried to undermine the government.

The presidency argued that since Muhammadu Buhari became Nigeria's president, he has never detained a journalist or attacked a media house.

A statement by Garba Shehu, one of Buhari's spokesperson, said Sowore was detained for calling doe a revolution against the government.

The statement said the clarification had become important because some international media were giving the impression that Sowore's detention and eventual release has something to with him as a journalist.

The statement said the Buhari government believes in the rule of law, but will not allow those it thinks are trouble makers to incite the people or cause breakdown of law and order.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Buhari administration has never, since coming into office in 2015, detained a journalist, seized copies of newspapers or shut down a medium of information.

“Sowore called for a revolution to overthrow the democratically elected government of Nigeria. He did so on television, and from a privileged position as the owner of a widely read digital newspaper run from the United States of America," the statement said.

The presidency noted that Sowore founded the RevolutionNow to launch trouble and that thise was a publicised purpose of fomenting mass civil unrest and the elected administration’s overthrow.

“No government will allow anybody to openly call for destabilization in the country and do nothing.

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"The government believes strictly in observing the rule of law but must safeguard public security and will not allow trouble makers to incite the public and cause a breakdown of law and order," the statement said.

Legit.ng earlier reported that Sowore, in the evening of Tuesday, December 24, spoke first time after leaving the facility of the Department of State Services (DSS).

He was quoted as thanking Nigerians for supporting him and making his freedom happen.

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Sowore addresses Nigerians after finally regaining freedom from DSS| Legit TV

Source: Legit.ng