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Presidency justifies DSS’ actions against Sowore, says he’s a person of interest

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I am not a Terrorist, Sowore replies DSS in counter affidavit

The Presidency said on Sunday that the detained convener of #RevolutionNow protest, Omoyele Sowore, is a person of interest to the Department of State Services (DSS) which does not need the permission of President Muhammadu Buhari to do its work whenever it needs to act.

A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said so far the secret police had acted within its constitutional powers and did not need to seek Buhari’s approval to act on security matters.

The Presidency was reacting to media reports on Friday’s re-arrest of Sowore, at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

READ ALSO: Buhari is ready to restructure Nigeria, Garba Shehu says

It noted that no government would fold its arms and allow a country to be destabilised under it.

The Presidency also said Sowore was no “ordinary citizen” expressing his rights as perceived by the public but a former presidential candidate and convener of revolution protests against a democratic government.

“The DSS does not necessarily need the permission of the Presidency in all cases to carry out its essential responsibilities that are laid down in the Nigerian Constitution – which was the foundation for the restoration of democracy in our country in 1999.

“However, it should not surprise anyone who has followed his actions and words that Sowore is a person of interest to the DSS.”

It noted that Sowore’s antecedents and actions ordinarily make him a person of interest to the DSS.

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