The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has faulted the attack on a man alleged to be a ‘fake bishop’ in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
According to Sowore, the victim who is a plumber was accused of appearing as a “fake bishop” at the unveiling of the All Progressives Congres vice-presidential candidate, Kashim Shettima, in Abuja weeks ago.
Sowore alleged that the victim was ‘apprehended’ presumably by supporters of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, in a market in Dei Dei neighbourhood of Abuja.
In a series of tweets on his Twitter handle on Sunday, the ACC presidential candidate also faulted Nigerians, who he claimed, supported the mob action on social media platforms, including Facebook and WhatsApp.
He wrote, “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”
