Omoyele Sowore, Presidential Candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has kicked against the alleged molestation of one of the “clerics” who attended the unveiling of Kashim Shettima as the All Progressives Congress (APC) vice-presidential candidate.
Daily Trust had reported how a man who shares striking semblance with one of the controversial clerics at the event was beaten up by an angry mob at a market in Abuja.
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In a video of the assault widely circulated online, shouts of “Fake bishop”, “This is one of the so-called bishops Tinubu used”, among others were heard in the background.
Weighing in on the issue, Sowore condemned what he called a heightened level of harassment of citizens through death threats, against those who happen not to support the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.
Sowore said he was shocked that some highly respected persons on Facebook, WhatsApp and elsewhere celebrated the mob justice against the alleged impostor.
“I was particularly shocked that some highly respected persons on Facebook/WhatsApp and elsewhere celebrated this mob justice against this particular Nigerian. Since the advent of this election cycle, we’ve seen and observed a heightened level of harassment of citizens via death threats, arson threats, verbal and now physical abuse against those who happen not to support Peter Obi’s candidacy.
“A Catholic Church pastored by Rev Fr. Ejike Mbaka known as Adoration Ministry was a victim of this mob action, Femi Kuti’s African Shrine in Lagos was at the receiving end of arsonists over his refusal to support Mr. Obi for President.
“We’ve seen supporters brandishing guns and threatening people who might not support Obi’s candidacy. A former media assistant to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri complained consistently that the life of his one-year-old daughter was repeatedly threatened.
“Obi’s supporters are not alone in this unconscionable act, a disabled Obi supporter was reportedly beaten for displaying his paraphernalia. However, Obi’s campaigners have demonstrated the most amount of intolerance and harassment of his opponents.
“The latest mobbing of the Bishop/plumber is barbaric, unacceptable and criminal. I condemn these conducts and urge Nigerians to stand by their rights to choose their leaders without pandering to fear, harassment and threats by anyone.
“No set of persons or groups should be allowed to ride roughshod on anyone simply because they refuse to follow their preferred candidate(s). It is Democracy, founded and built fundamentally on the freedom to choose.
#WeCantContinueLikeThis,” he wrote.
Daily Trust had reported how one of the “bishops” who attended the ceremony where Kashim Shettima, Vice-Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was unveiled, was reportedly mobbed at a market in Abuja.
The appearance of the ‘men of God’ at Shettimma’s unveiling had generated heated controversy as the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) distanced itself from the so-called Bishops, saying the men were hired to give semblance of the acceptance of the APC Muslim-Muslim ticket.
