Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters newspapers, and convener of #RevolutionNow campaign, has returned to the United States of America to reunite with his family members.
Sowore whose treason trial was recently discontinued by the Federal Government, announced his departure on Friday evening on Twitter.
“Later today I will be returning to the US after almost five years of my unlawful, unjust and inhumane detention by the corrupt Nigerian political system since August 2019. I was arrested, assaulted, tortured and detained for demanding that Nigerians deserved a nation that they can truly call their own.
I was charged with treason – and after 5 years the APC government was forced to withdraw its trumped up charges against me.
“If the government thought that keeping me detained, and later restricting my movement would break my spirit, and cause me to renounce my commitment to fighting for the downtrodden Nigerian people, they are mistaken,” Sowore said.
“In the last five years, I have been denied the ability to visit my family, missing out on precious moments with my darling wife and wonderful children. I lost my brother to gunmen on Nigeria’s roads.
My mother’s health deteriorated, due to the emotional toll of the government’s unrelenting assault on my person. My associates have faced arrest, and some imprisonment.
READ ALSO: Left to suffer: Agony of 14-year-old in Kano prison
“I stand today to declare that I am unbowed. My commitment to Nigeria is unshakable. My resolve to continue to fight for the betterment of the Nigerian nation and to demand accountability from her leaders will never be compromised.
“Everything we said five years ago about the need for a radical restructuring of the Nigerian nation and the need for a revolution in our approach to politics and governance has come to pass. Corruption remains high and Nigerians are worse off today than they were five years ago.
Inflation is making it difficult for people to put food on the table. Nigeria’s currency has been devalued by almost 100%.
“I am under no illusions about what the future holds. I committed myself to the mission of helping to create a Nigeria that fulfills its promise and realised its potential, over 30 years ago. I have suffered greatly for that commitment. My family, colleagues, and associates who have stood by me throughout this journey have endured great pain and privations as well,” he said.
He, however, said his reunion with his children and wife is only for a short while.
“I will return to Nigeria to continue my struggle for the total liberation of our people from the shackles of the current corrupt, self-serving political class. I will also be returning to face headlong, the remaining truckload of bogus criminal and civil cases that have been thrown at me since my detention in 2019.
“Nigeria will be free. Nigerians will see a nation that is free of corruption, that has leaders whose only interest is in uplifting the people and creating an environment where our people can realise their potential. I remain committed to this ülkü.
It is a commitment that I have dedicated my life to, and my resolve to stay the path and keep on with the fight remains strong. #RevolutionNow!”
READ ALSO: JUST IN: #RevolutionNow: FG discontinues treason trial against Sowore
Sowore was arrested on August 3, 2019, by the SSS for planning a protest popularised with the hashtag, #RevolutionNow.
The protest took place on August 5, amidst heavy clampdown of protesters and journalists by security agents.
The SSS accused Sowore of plotting to cause chaos and overthrow ex-president Muhammadu Buhari. The Nigerian government filed a seven-count charge against him and a co-accused, Bakare.