by Dolapo Adelana
Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters has said he is ready to die to ensure Nigeria takes it space back from those he described as “drug dealers, certificate forgers, money launderers, political manipulators, and assassins”.
Sowore stated this on Saturday night via his Facebook page while reacting to a statement by Senator Dino Melaye that he would ensure he (Sowore) is sent to jail for alleged libel.
Melaye had petition the Inspector General of Police accusing Sowore and Sahara Reporters of libel for its reports that he (Melaye) did not graduate from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
But in his reaction, the publisher said Melaye’s promise to send him to jail was synonymous with that of a former military dictator, General Ibrahim Babangida.
He said, “Folks: It was brought to my attention earlier that Nigerian Senator Dino Melaye promised to ‘send me to jail’ over the recent unraveling of his questionable educational background. While some are worried, appalled, alarmed and concerned and even scared about this declaration, it had me thinking differently. I am a Nigerian citizen who had been through torture, humiliations, and incarceration by dictators in uniform between 1992-1999 before I eventually left Nigeria. I have never doubted the power of justice over legalities.
“That a Nigerian Senator in a democratic era could make this proclamation is indeed a sign that our democratic transition was a farce, particular when you’ve now noticed that Mr. Melaye was sitting at the feet of one of Nigeria’s worst military dictators, Ibrahim Babangida just a week ago.
“One of Babangida’s worst crimes against humanity was the assassination of notable investigative journalists of our time, Dele Giwa, by way of a parcel bomb. Another thing Melaye shares in common with Babangida and his killer squad was using libel lawsuits to silence inquisitions In the 80’s Gani Fawehimi was found liable of libeling the killers of Dele Giwa and asked to pay damages to Halilu Akilu.
“Here is how I am different and also not different, I am not going to run away from criminals running the Nigerian political space until they are defeated, and their ideologies of greed, bloodiness, and avarice are entirely abandoned and discredited forever (Apology to Bob Marley).
“If it takes my life, so be it. If it means another unjust ruling asking for damages for thieves. So be it. We must take our space back from the 10 percenters, drug dealers, certificate forgers, money launderers, political manipulators, and assassins.
“Thank you.”
Dolapo is a writer and journalist who works with YNaija. He has interests in Christianity, politics and sports.
Let him do whatever he is trying to do, I’m telling you he’ll not succeeds. He’ll fail the way he fails his exams in ABU and run away without finishing the school. We already know where he’s heading to, now as he is under critical situation pertaining his political carrier, he can used thugs, and other illegal ways to silence these who tried to publish the truth about him. Don’t worry continues with your work, God will protect you from his devilish activities.