Sowore arrives US to family and friends, gets warm welcome
Innocent Raphael
SaharaReporters’ publisher and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, on Saturday, arrived the United States of America after five years to reunite with his family.
This comes after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the release of his passport following the decision of the Nigerian government to withdraw its treasonable felony case against the #RevolutionNow convener, four years after it was seized and he was barred from leaving Nigeria.
The two-time presidential candidate who had earlier announced he would be traveling to the US to reunite with his family, was warmly welcomed by friends and family on Saturday.
He had disclosed in a statement on Friday that his trip would be for a short while since he was “bound to return to Nigeria not only to continue my struggle for the total liberation of our people but also to face the myriad of bogus criminal and civil cases thrown at me since my detention began.”
Sowore’s arrival was also met with a reception organized by the City of Haworth. The event, hosted by the Mayor, Heather Wasser, had in attendance US Congressman Josh Gottheimer, whom Sowore acknowledged was instrumental in facilitating his return to the U.S.
The celebration which saw Sowore gave a heartfelt speech, also featured his wife, Opeyemi, appreciating the women who led the campaign for the activist’s release in Haworth, New Jersey.
She further stated that the “friendship and unbreakable bonds” she forged with other women in Haworth helped her cope with the lonely days of wondering if her husband was safe.
“I’m so overwhelmed by the love that surrounds me and my family,” she said.
Sowore in an emotional speech, said he couldn’t explain the feeling of being a free man after so much trials. He further treated attendees to the exposition of some of his experiences, while appreciating everyone who supported his course.
“Before I was arrested, nobody knew much about me in this city. I would just occasionally get on the street and run because I do long-distance running. I participated in the city’s runs once in a while. But something is very similar to where I come from; my hometown is as small as what you have here.
“And I remember growing up and saying that I would change the world through my hometown of 3,000 people when it was invaded by the police in 1980. Fast-forward to years later, and I found myself in this small town.
“Just the way my hometown shook the Nigerian government through me, you shook our government and the world through me again. I became one of the most popular faces throughout my five-year stay in Nigeria. Everybody knew how to spell this place,” he narrated.
Upon the close of the event, The Mayor of Haworth, Heather Wasser delivered a proclamation to honour Sowore and his family for their resilience and struggle for the emancipation of their homeland Nigeria.
