diegwu02:
lol! the reason i love General Buhari is his usual Doctrine of Silence.

You're right my bro. The man rarely responds to issues. He wakes up in the morning and does what's on his mind. He is obeying the 48 laws of power religiously

The entire country and a global audience are rightly scandalised by the unfolding saga over Omoyele Sowore and the unruliness of the SSS and the government; but it is only a pattern, a reflection of the serial disregard of the Buhari regime for human rights and its battering of other arms of government and our democratic institutions. PUNCH views this tendency and its recent escalation with serious concern, knowing as the great thinker, Edmund Burke, said that “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Nigeria had trod a path, a veritable obstacle course, where repression, especially under military jackboots, was a malignant presence and this attracted heroic resistance by ordinary people, civil society groups and the press. But Nigerians have lately become lethargic, divided by ethnic and sectarian sentiments and weakened by widespread poverty brought on by a rapacious political class and bad governance. PUNCH will not adopt the self-defeating attitude of many Nigerians looking the other way after each violation of rights and attacks on the citizens, the courts, the press and civic society, including self- determination groups lawfully exercising their inalienable rights to peaceful dissent. This regime’s actions and assaults on the courts, disobedience of court orders and arbitrary detention of citizens reflect its true character of the martial culture. Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) ran a ham-fisted military junta in 1984/85 and old habits obviously run deep. Until he and his repressive regime purge themselves of their martial tendency therefore, PUNCH will not be a party to falsely adorning it with a democratic robe, hence our decision to label it for what it is – an autocratic military-style regime run by Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd). Sowore’s travails are symptomatic: having ignored court orders granting him bail, the SSS, after much pressure following 125 days in captivity, released him only to stage a GESTAPO-style raid on the court where the journalist was standing trial. The leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Ibrahim el-Zakzakky and his wife have spent over three years in detention in violation of court orders granting them bail and ordering their release. A former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, has been held in detention since 2015 in defiance of several court orders, including one by the ECOWAS appellate court that declared his continued incarceration illegal. Under Buhari, the SSS has become a monstrous and repressive secret police, acting often with impunity. Buhari bears responsibility for the state of repression because, as president, he can stop it today. But the SSS is not alone. The Nigeria Police, whose notoriety predates Buhari’s second coming, has continued its serial abuse of human rights and is ever available to officials who routinely deploy police officers from the mundane abuse of sirens in traffic to arbitrary arrest and torture of victims. The police and military fail to understand that peaceful agitation and the right to associate are fundamental rights. This situation is eerily familiar: as military head of state, Buhari’s appointee who headed the National Security Organisation, as the SSS was then known, Lawal Rafindadi, unleashed a reign of terror on Nigerians, featuring arbitrary arrests and torture in cells described by inmates as chambers of horror. Under the infamous Decree 2, agents had pre-signed detention papers, court orders were ignored and ouster clauses were inserted in decrees, while the press was specifically targeted with the infamous Decree 4 under which Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabor were jailed. Returning as an elected president, Buhari has followed the same template, appointing Lawal Daura as Director-General of the SSS, who re-enacted the Rafindadi playbook by his treatment of Dasuki and el-Zakzakky, among others, raided the homes of judges and twice deployed armed SSS heavies to foil the arrest of two former security chiefs by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Nigerian Navy authorities similarly ignored court orders to release Navy Captain Dada Labinjo, who they detained for over a year until his recent release on bail; Nigerian Army too detains suspects interminably on the grounds of being terrorism suspects. Some governors have borrowed from this nefarious model, deploying security agents and perverting the law to punish critics and journalists. Critics, Dadiyata Idris and Stephen Kefas, have been arrested and arraigned. Agba Jalingo is facing a treason charge for offending the Cross River State Government. Jones Abiri, a local publisher in Bayelsa State, has been charged with terrorism while, in Delta State, two journalists are facing criminal defamation charges. The regime’s Information and Culture Minister, Lai Mohammed, forgetting how, as opposition spokesman in 2014, he was harassed by the SSS and accused of “loitering,” has been vigorously pressing for anti-hate speech laws to restrict the social media. Abdullahi Sabi, a senator, along with others, has re-presented a hate-speech bill: their sole purpose is to insulate officials from criticism and compel unquestioned acceptance of Buhari’s draconian misrule. Under the law, suspects cannot be held beyond 48 hours except by a court order. But the regime observes this in the breach. Yet, Nigeria is a signatory to the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment and other treaties guaranteeing fundamental rights. The 1999 Constitution also spells out basic rights. But the regime chooses which rights or court orders to respect or obey. This is unacceptable. Critical segments of the society have been assaulted, silenced or compromised. It is time, as a Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, has strongly advocated, for civil society to rejuvenate itself and send the message to Buhari to “rein in his wild dogs of disobedience.” From the United States has come a message from the Department of State, two senators and Congress telling the Buhari regime to stop its shocking affront to the rule of law, reminding the General that “respect for the rule of law, judicial independence, political and media freedom, and due process are key tenets of democracy.” Nigeria has had more than its fair share of draconian rulers, whether in military or civil garb, but none has succeeded in breaking our resilience and irrepressible spirit. This regime will not prove to be an exception. Nigeria, and Nigerians, will overcome. The strong desire of our people to enjoy the unfettered freedoms guaranteed by the constitution and the rule of law, including the freedom to speak freely and assemble peacefully, will again outlive, outlast and crush the spirit of despotism. Buhari can still redeem himself and his out-of-control security agents and reclaim his past facade of tolerance. When Daura brazenly inserted himself in politics by recklessly sending armed masked SSS enforcers to besiege the National Assembly, as acting President, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo promptly sacked him and had him arrested. Buhari should similarly distance himself and his regime from the lawlessness and impunity of the current SSS DG, Yusuf Bichi, by dismissing him, ordering the release of all victims of illegal detention and compelling obedience to court orders. The SSS has not been efficient in the war against terror; it should perform its primary duty to safeguard the country. As a product of statute, its loyalty should be to the country, not to temporary occupiers of public office. The regime’s repression cannot succeed but will further polarise the society and weaken national cohesion. The Nigerian Bar Association has vowed to defend the sanctity of judicial authority, while Soyinka has warned that disregard for court orders could beget desperation and civil disobedience. Nigerians need to stop their supine acquiescence to oppression and learn to stand up for their rights as many are doing around the world, using all peaceful and legal means, including the right to protest and of peaceful assembly. It is Dasuki, el-Zakzakky, Sowore and others today, who knows who is next if repression is not resisted? As a symbolic demonstration of our protest against autocracy and military-style repression, PUNCH (all our print newspapers, The PUNCH, Saturday PUNCH, Sunday PUNCH, PUNCH Sports Extra, and digital platforms, most especially Punchng.com) will henceforth prefix Buhari’s name with his rank as a military dictator in the 80s, Major General, and refer to his administration as a regime, until they purge themselves of their insufferable contempt for the rule of law.

Yohans:

Boris Johnson is the prime minister of British not Theresa May

Anyone that might be there, he/she is not the 1 that put us in our present predicament let's look 4 solution and stop blaming dead people.

Victor08032:
The entire country and a global audience are rightly scandalised by
the unfolding saga over Omoyele Sowore and the unruliness of the
SSS and the government; but it is only a pattern, a reflection of the
serial disregard of the Buhari regime for human rights and its
battering of other arms of government and our democratic
institutions. PUNCH views this tendency and its recent escalation
with serious concern, knowing as the great thinker, Edmund Burke,
said that “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for
good men to do nothing.” Nigeria had trod a path, a veritable
obstacle course, where repression, especially under military
jackboots, was a malignant presence and this attracted heroic
resistance by ordinary people, civil society groups and the press.
But Nigerians have lately become lethargic, divided by ethnic and
sectarian sentiments and weakened by widespread poverty brought
on by a rapacious political class and bad governance.
PUNCH will not adopt the self-defeating attitude of many Nigerians
looking the other way after each violation of rights and attacks on
the citizens, the courts, the press and civic society, including self-
determination groups lawfully exercising their inalienable rights to
peaceful dissent. This regime’s actions and assaults on the courts,
disobedience of court orders and arbitrary detention of citizens
reflect its true character of the martial culture. Major General
Muhammadu Buhari (retd) ran a ham-fisted military junta in
1984/85 and old habits obviously run deep. Until he and his
repressive regime purge themselves of their martial tendency
therefore, PUNCH will not be a party to falsely adorning it with a
democratic robe, hence our decision to label it for what it is – an
autocratic military-style regime run by Major General Muhammadu
Buhari (retd).
Sowore’s travails are symptomatic: having ignored court orders
granting him bail, the SSS, after much pressure following 125 days
in captivity, released him only to stage a GESTAPO-style raid on the
court where the journalist was standing trial. The leader of the
Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Ibrahim el-Zakzakky and his wife
have spent over three years in detention in violation of court orders
granting them bail and ordering their release. A former National
Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, has been held in detention since
2015 in defiance of several court orders, including one by the
ECOWAS appellate court that declared his continued incarceration
illegal. Under Buhari, the SSS has become a monstrous and
repressive secret police, acting often with impunity. Buhari bears
responsibility for the state of repression because, as president, he
can stop it today.
But the SSS is not alone. The Nigeria Police, whose notoriety
predates Buhari’s second coming, has continued its serial abuse of
human rights and is ever available to officials who routinely deploy
police officers from the mundane abuse of sirens in traffic to
arbitrary arrest and torture of victims. The police and military fail to
understand that peaceful agitation and the right to associate are
fundamental rights.
This situation is eerily familiar: as military head of state, Buhari’s
appointee who headed the National Security Organisation, as the
SSS was then known, Lawal Rafindadi, unleashed a reign of terror
on Nigerians, featuring arbitrary arrests and torture in cells
described by inmates as chambers of horror. Under the infamous
Decree 2, agents had pre-signed detention papers, court orders
were ignored and ouster clauses were inserted in decrees, while
the press was specifically targeted with the infamous Decree 4
under which Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabor were jailed.
Returning as an elected president, Buhari has followed the same
template, appointing Lawal Daura as Director-General of the SSS,
who re-enacted the Rafindadi playbook by his treatment of Dasuki
and el-Zakzakky, among others, raided the homes of judges and
twice deployed armed SSS heavies to foil the arrest of two former
security chiefs by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Nigerian Navy authorities similarly ignored court orders to release
Navy Captain Dada Labinjo, who they detained for over a year until
his recent release on bail; Nigerian Army too detains suspects
interminably on the grounds of being terrorism suspects.
Some governors have borrowed from this nefarious model,
deploying security agents and perverting the law to punish critics
and journalists. Critics, Dadiyata Idris and Stephen Kefas, have been
arrested and arraigned. Agba Jalingo is facing a treason charge for
offending the Cross River State Government. Jones Abiri, a local
publisher in Bayelsa State, has been charged with terrorism while,
in Delta State, two journalists are facing criminal defamation
charges.
The regime’s Information and Culture Minister, Lai Mohammed,
forgetting how, as opposition spokesman in 2014, he was harassed
by the SSS and accused of “loitering,” has been vigorously pressing
for anti-hate speech laws to restrict the social media. Abdullahi
Sabi, a senator, along with others, has re-presented a hate-speech
bill: their sole purpose is to insulate officials from criticism and
compel unquestioned acceptance of Buhari’s draconian misrule.
Under the law, suspects cannot be held beyond 48 hours except by
a court order. But the regime observes this in the breach. Yet,
Nigeria is a signatory to the United Nations Declaration of Human
Rights, African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and the
Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment and other treaties guaranteeing fundamental rights. The
1999 Constitution also spells out basic rights. But the regime
chooses which rights or court orders to respect or obey. This is
unacceptable. Critical segments of the society have been
assaulted, silenced or compromised. It is time, as a Nobel laureate,
Wole Soyinka, has strongly advocated, for civil society to
rejuvenate itself and send the message to Buhari to “rein in his
wild dogs of disobedience.” From the United States has come a
message from the Department of State, two senators and Congress
telling the Buhari regime to stop its shocking affront to the rule of
law, reminding the General that “respect for the rule of law, judicial
independence, political and media freedom, and due process are
key tenets of democracy.”
Nigeria has had more than its fair share of draconian rulers,
whether in military or civil garb, but none has succeeded in
breaking our resilience and irrepressible spirit. This regime will not
prove to be an exception. Nigeria, and Nigerians, will overcome.
The strong desire of our people to enjoy the unfettered freedoms
guaranteed by the constitution and the rule of law, including the
freedom to speak freely and assemble peacefully, will again outlive,
outlast and crush the spirit of despotism.
Buhari can still redeem himself and his out-of-control security
agents and reclaim his past facade of tolerance. When Daura
brazenly inserted himself in politics by recklessly sending armed
masked SSS enforcers to besiege the National Assembly, as acting
President, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo promptly sacked him and
had him arrested. Buhari should similarly distance himself and his
regime from the lawlessness and impunity of the current SSS DG,
Yusuf Bichi, by dismissing him, ordering the release of all victims
of illegal detention and compelling obedience to court orders. The
SSS has not been efficient in the war against terror; it should
perform its primary duty to safeguard the country. As a product of
statute, its loyalty should be to the country, not to temporary
occupiers of public office.
The regime’s repression cannot succeed but will further polarise
the society and weaken national cohesion. The Nigerian Bar
Association has vowed to defend the sanctity of judicial authority,
while Soyinka has warned that disregard for court orders could
beget desperation and civil disobedience. Nigerians need to stop
their supine acquiescence to oppression and learn to stand up for
their rights as many are doing around the world, using all peaceful
and legal means, including the right to protest and of peaceful
assembly. It is Dasuki, el-Zakzakky, Sowore and others today, who
knows who is next if repression is not resisted?
As a symbolic demonstration of our protest against autocracy and
military-style repression, PUNCH (all our print newspapers, The
PUNCH, Saturday PUNCH, Sunday PUNCH, PUNCH Sports Extra, and
digital platforms, most especially Punchng.com) will henceforth
prefix Buhari’s name with his rank as a military dictator in the 80s,
Major General, and refer to his administration as a regime, until
they purge themselves of their insufferable contempt for the rule
of law.

wtf....??
are you trying to give us a headache....

who bothered to read all this gibberish....

UK will never condemn outrightly. Always following. Rubbish

jayfolarin:
Tyrant Buhari is a bastard and a threat to the life of every Nigerian.

Nigerians should rise up against this devil in human skin!

Oh please... Nigerians had a rare sweet chance to rise up as one against him just last February, at the polls...

I'm starting to actually believe there is no real Nigeria... This nation is a mirage of laughable proportions.

Somebody with acute ear problem. Okay let's see whether you people in UK treated him .

ABCthingx:
A clown was just telling me that buhari is good, seriously what did he do to their head?

They are under a spell

Glorymax:
UK what? Rubbish!
It's because of their selfish interest that this incompatible marriage is being forced to exist.

Are you saying you've never done something wrong against someone you later regret? You can't forgive Sowore because he once supported bubu, you can't forgive Falana because he was against GEJ, you can't forgive UK because they merged us with unlike minds Haba, take it easy ogbeni

olutop:

So it was Theresa May that officiated our wedding shey, try and take away hatred from your heart or else you will never be at peace with anyone....Something of 1914 that all of them in that era arse already underground, all is well.

Maybe you do not know, it was that same mission before 1914 that's being safe guarded and implemented today. My eyes are open and I don't hate humanity but I hate oppression, selfishness and tyranny

All this social media gibberish do not hold water if indeed it is the UK saying this let them send their Ambassador to Aso rock representing a strong disapproval Buhari is not our constitution our constitution is the one holding Sowore..

Vanhooijdonk:
Everyone both locally and internationally is speaking out against the tyrant. Even the BMC crew will soon turn against him

BMC is a crew of failed politicians/political hopefuls a**licking Major Gen.

Quote me and lose Ur worth.

Evil emperor, I don't expect this mad mullah to comply, the only thing that will settle this is him taking the room temperature challenge..

Spot on! The redundant tyrant /clueless coupist is all shades of lawlessness & gross mis-rule!

Saying you dont want something is one thing and calling for a revolution is another
Monarchy was abolished by the mass murder of Nicholas Romanov ( The Last Czar) and his entire family through a revolution.
Guess you people dont fully understand the meaning of revolution.
Revolution was what happened in Libya and Iraq and they havent recovered till today.

adonainana:


Ignorance is bliss, the Monarch is a constitutional one so on the face of it it doesnt really exist, and cannot be toppled.

Telling a UK government you dont want it anymore is acceptable, people post this all the time, it is not treason

IPOB judge Ijeoma that is making satanic pronouncements on Sowore case, is the rule of law that should be respected? What a mistake from UK Government!

Sowore will taste the full wrath of Buhari, he is still the same man that helped make Jonathan's reign come to a catastrophic end.. We don't want Sowore alive..

Barzinime:
Saying you dont want something is one thing and calling for a revolution is another
Monarchy was abolished by the mass murder of Nicholas Romanov ( The Last Czar) and his entire family through a revolution.
Guess you people dont fully understand the meaning of revolution.
Revolution was what happened in Libya and Iraq and they havent recovered till today.

Advocating for a revolution in any European Country these modern times happen all the time via all forms of social media protests, and boycotts etc

We are not in the dark ages anymore where you get beheaded for insulting the queen or king
Buhari is not a monarch, he is a consitutional elected person, the right that got him elected is the same right that affords checks and protests against him.

The constitution is sacrosanct and independent

Violent armed thuggery revolution by taking up arms in Libya is entirely different from using your pen and paper to bring a govt to its reponsbility It has been happening in this country since the occupy nigeria protests in 2012.

This buhari govt is an abitrtary one, and a shameless one too to the rule of law.

I ask you with the way things are being run in this country who will not want a revolution

Free sowore

jayfolarin:
Tyrant Buhari is a bastard and a threat to the life of every Nigerian.

Nigerians should rise up against this devil in human skin!

fact n soon just soon he n his evil hordes of zombies will reap d evil they sow

adonainana:


Advocating for a revolution in any European Country these modern times happen all the time via all forms of social media protests, and boycotts etc

We are not in the dark ages anymore where you get beheaded for insulting the queen or king
Buhari is not a monarch, he is a consitutional elected person, the right that got him elected is the same right that affords checks and protests against him.

The constitution is sacrosanct and independent

Violent armed thuggery revolution by taking up arms in Libya is entirely different from using your pen and paper to bring a govt to its reponsbility It has been happening in this country since the occupy nigeria protests in 2012.

This buhari govt is an abitrtary one, and a shameless one too to the rule of law.

I ask you with the way things are being run in this country who will not want a revolution

Free sowore

pls don't mind that fool

UdyOgwoUde:
UK government, you people are one of our problems. This marriage called "Nigeria" you imposed on us is the greatest scam you people scammed us. F*ck one Nigeria!

Is Nigeria the only multi-ethnic country that gained independence from UK?
We are the architect of our misfortune

backnbeta:

Are you saying you've never done something wrong against someone you later regret? You can't forgive Sowore because he once supported bubu, you can't forgive Falana because he was against GEJ, you can't forgive UK because they merged us with unlike minds Haba, take it easy ogbeni

I neither hold any grudge against Sowore nor Falana. My humble wish is a working Nigeria which is good for all of us and Africa in general. This has always been my sincere wish which is possible but some persons or groups don't want it. Our national policy implementations is not encouraging one united Nigeria.

Am only disappointed with the present youths of this country because their future is less than blink. Those at the helm of affairs of this country today have been there once, 30 years or more ago. Even those that fought for our independence did that while they were in their late 20s, their 30s and at most 40s.

Have you asked yourself why the youths have not been able to participate more in the governance of this country. Most unfortunately, the youths have been made redundant, impoverished and misguided into ethnicity warriors by the same people that should guide them aright. Right thinking and united youths can't allow so many happenings that takes place in this country stand an inch in their country.

Vanhooijdonk:
Everyone both locally and internationally is speaking out against the tyrant. Even the BMC crew will soon turn against him

Biafra is the answer

According the ancient Greeks, founder of democracy, and modern day sociologists, there are always three groups of people in a given society. These are:
1. The Idiots (greedy, self-centered, barbarian).
2. The Tribalists (narrow-minded, violent).
3. The Citizens (the ideal individual).

Look at these three groups and put Buhari and any of the past and present leaders in one or two of the groups. Then tell me if a society that consist of people of these type can create an orderly, just, and thriving society. You can put Sowore in any of the group as well.

And make sure you watch this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfSMr8-fn8k

ghettokid1:
He will prefer pharoh treatment.
The worst is that zombies will still support him.
MANNABQGRILLS & co shame on u all.
#TYRANTBUHARI.

My bloda, Biafra is d answer

ABCthingx:
A clown was just telling me that buhari is good, seriously what did he do to their head?

Are u also good?

ghettokid1:
He will prefer pharoh treatment.
The worst is that zombies will still support him.
MANNABQGRILLS & co shame on u all.
#TYRANTBUHARI.

That mannabbqgrill is a plain basterrrd.

jayfolarin:
Tyrant Buhari is a bastard and a threat to the life of every Nigerian.

Nigerians should rise up against this devil in human skin!

Na thunder go kee baba cow and all his supporters.

ghettokid1:
He will prefer pharoh treatment.
The worst is that zombies will still support him.
MANNABQGRILLS & co shame on u all.
#TYRANTBUHARI.

Has this BBQ guy's account in Nairaland bn suspended?
I am wondering why he has suddenly gone so cold.
I no longer see his comment aslicking his god Major General M Buhari.

UK govt asks the FG to respect Rule of Law or face what?

Calling for reforms will be tolerated, but calling for Revolution?
Revolution is revolution and will lead to blood shed at a point be it monarchy or democracy and any strong leader will deal ruthlessly with such.
Go and try it in China or Russia and see if Sowore wont go missing.
Same UK that invaded Iraq based on cooked up lies are now forming advocate cos i know they arent benefiting from the present govt through our leaders siphoning money to boost their economy and all of you here thinks they care about the rule of law.
The same way they wanted to use Gulen in Turkey but Erdogan was lucky and dealt with collaborators ruthlessly.

adonainana:


Advocating for a revolution in any European Country these modern times happen all the time via all forms of social media protests, and boycotts etc

We are not in the dark ages anymore where you get beheaded for insulting the queen or king
Buhari is not a monarch, he is a consitutional elected person, the right that got him elected is the same right that affords checks and protests against him.

The constitution is sacrosanct and independent

Violent armed thuggery revolution by taking up arms in Libya is entirely different from using your pen and paper to bring a govt to its reponsbility It has been happening in this country since the occupy nigeria protests in 2012.

This buhari govt is an abitrtary one, and a shameless one too to the rule of law.

I ask you with the way things are being run in this country who will not want a revolution

Free sowore