This archive report was first published on 5 August 2019.
On August 5, 2019, security services in Nigeria arrested Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate and director of the influential online news site Sahara Reporters, for calling for a march in Abuja that they deemed a call for revolution.
Sowore, who had joined the presidential race in February 2019 as the candidate of the African Action Congress party, had tweeted on Friday, "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".
According to DSS spokesman Peter Afunaya, Sowore's arrest was necessary to prevent chaos and fan the embers of revolution. "We cannot allow any person or group to foment chaos or fan the embers of revolution," Afunaya said. "If someone is calling for revolution in Nigeria, it means a revolt... insurgency. He has crossed the line, threatened public safety."
Sowore's Sahara Reporters news site has often highlighted alleged graft in the government, and he is a fierce opponent of President Muhammadu Buhari, who won another four-year term in February 2019.
