Speedily process, grant Igboho his asylum application, women group tells Benin Republic

A group, Women Arise (WA), has called on the government of the Republic of Benin, as a democratic country under law, to speedily process and grant Yoruba activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo popularly called Sunday Igboho his asylum application, declaring that it was not debatable that Igboho would come to grief if he was extradited to Nigeria under the prevailing circumstances.

President of the group, Dr Joe Okei- Odumakin, made this call, on Wednesday, in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos, urging that Igboho should be released from detention unconditionally and his safety and liberty guaranteed by the Republic of Benin authorities under extant international law.

“We call on the authorities of the Republic of Benin, democracy and country under law, to speedily process and grant Igboho’s asylum application.

“It is not debatable that Igboho will come to grief if he is extradited to Nigeria under the prevailing circumstances.

“In this wise, it is certain that Igboho cannot be assured safety or justice if extradited to Nigeria.

“He should be released from detention unconditionally and his safety and liberty guaranteed by the Republic of Benin authorities under extant international law,” the group said.

The group, while making the call cited the different approaches applied by President Muhammadu Buhari- led government to handle issues having to do with bandits and freedom fighters, declaring that there was no denying the fact that fascism was already creeping upon Nigeria.

According to WA, the way and manner in which Leader of Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu was whisked into Nigeria recently, in circumstances yet to be fully explained, and the various efforts at enacting gag laws by the Federal Government shows the telltale signs of military dictatorship are rearing their ugly heads again under a supposedly democratic government of President Buhari.

“Bearing in mind the way and manner in which Nnamdi Kanu was whisked into Nigeria recently, in circumstances yet to be fully explained, and the various efforts at enacting gag laws by the same Nigerian authorities, there is no denying the fact that fascism is already creeping upon Nigerians.

“The telltale signs of military dictatorship are rearing their ugly heads again under a supposedly democratic government of President Muhammadu Buhari,” it said.

“In this wise, it is certain that Igboho cannot be assured safety or justice if extradited to Nigeria,” it added.

This was just as the group frowned at the false report indicating that Igboho had been released and had left the Benin Republic for Germany, saying such report was injurious to his case of asylum-seeking that he was said to be processing before his arrest incidence in the neighbouring West African country.

“We call on those peddling this unfounded rumour to desist henceforth. Whether by friends of Igboho or his detractors, such rumour is an ill wind that blows no one any good,” Women Arise counselled.

The group, while further condemning the approach by the Federal Government on Igboho and Kanu issues, said it was most unfortunate that terrorists of the hues of Boko Haram, herdsmen, and bandits ravaging entire Northern Nigeria were treated with kid gloves, while the same government applied the sledgehammer on law-abiding citizens protesting against such terrorists and their wanton destruction of lives and property in the country, adding that such manner of approach left a sour taste in the mouth.

“It is most unfortunate that a Nigerian government that treats with kid gloves terrorists of the hues of Boko Haram, herdsmen, and bandits ravaging entire Northern Nigeria applies the sledgehammer on law-abiding citizens protesting against such terrorists and their wanton destruction of lives and property.

“The way the present Nigerian authorities romance these despicable elements while victimising, oppressing and silencing their victims leave a sour taste in the mouth,” the group said.

“The Nigerian authorities are better advised to stop chasing shadows but address the patent dangers posed to the country by the despicable elements it is treating with kid gloves.

“Protection of life and property is the fundamental rights of citizens and the overriding objectives of State policy.

“Neglecting these and running after critics and opposition figures is not only irresponsible but also inimical in the long run to the good health, safety, and continued corporate existence of our beloved country, Nigeria,” the group added.

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