Nigerians on social media are praising The Punch newspaper over its Wednesday editorial where it condemned the regime of General Muhammadu Buhari for its actions suppressing rule of law and violating human rights.

In its editorial titled “Buhari’s lawlessness: Our stand”, The Punch condemned the continued detention of several Nigerians by the DSS and other security agencies despite court orders granting them bail.

Aside from Omoyele Sowore who was rearrested in a GESTAPO-style raid on the Federal High Court, Abuja last Friday, the newspaper also made reference to the continued detention of a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki who has been held in detention since 2015, the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Ibrahim el-Zakzakky and his wife and several others who have spent over years in detention in violation of court orders granting them bail and ordering their release.

It said it will not adopt the self-defeating attitude of many Nigerians looking the other way after each violation of rights and attacks on the citizens, the courts, the press and civic society, including self-determination groups lawfully exercising their inalienable rights to peaceful dissent.

It advised Buhari to distance himself and his regime from the lawlessness and impunity of the current SSS DG, Yusuf Bichi, by dismissing him, ordering the release of all victims of illegal detention and compelling obedience to court orders.

READ ALSO: Damning Verdict! We will now address Buhari as Major General, his administration as a regime, Punch newspaper declares

The newspaper declared that it would henceforth “prefix Buhari’s name with his rank as a military dictator in the 80s, Major General, and refer to his administration as a regime, until they purge themselves of their insufferable contempt for the rule of law.”

Reacting to the editorial, Nigerians have taken to Twitter to praise the media house for taking a stand against the violation of human rights and flagrant disregard for rule of law and court orders by the Buhari regime.

Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin tweeted:

Today’s @MobilePunch editorial, its resolution to henceforth prefix @MBuhari
with Major General & refer to his adminstration as regime in protest against autocracy is another huge feat renewing our hope in the media as a strong voice ready to hold govt. accountable & responsible

— Rt. Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin (@Adebo_ogund) December 11, 2019

Senator Shehu Sani tweeted:

The Punch Newspaper Editorial of today sends a clear message to the perpetrators,choristers and fans of tyranny and state repression in our country and the corrosive and cowardly silence of those who should speak truth to power.Kudos.

— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) December 11, 2019

Veteran journalist Dele Momodu wrote:

PUNCH BELLS THE CAT… KUDOS…
Buhari’s lawlessness: Our stand https://t.co/xsuFNFY7Mn via @MobilePunch

— Dele Momodu Ovation (@DeleMomodu) December 11, 2019

A former minister of aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode wrote:

@MobilePunch has shown immense courage by calling @Buhari out. Kudos to them! If more of our media houses were to display the same high degree of responsibility, good sense, decency and courage that the Punch has done on this occassion, Buhari would have been history long ago.

— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) December 11, 2019

See other reactions:

In a low-GDP society like ours, where media organizations literally struggle to pay salaries. It is very easy to sell out to the government.

We really need to see Punch Newspapers’ boldness against successive administrations as a huge sacrifice.

— Nedu Ekeke #BBOG (@Nedunaija) December 11, 2019

Any move by the DSS to clampdown on Punch Newspaper will pit this govt forever against the international community.

But in their usual lack of foresight, the DSS will still arrest and clampdown on Punch Newspaper anyways…

Well done Punch Newspaper… All die na die last last

— the Morris Monye factor (@Morris_Monye) December 11, 2019

The Punch Newspaper have announced that they will henceforth start referring to Buhari as General Buhari and refer to his Government as a Regime.

This is to reflect the current status of Nigeria as a Dictatorship under Buhari.

Pls other Nigerians should follow this step.#Resist

— Kelvin Odanz (@MrOdanz) December 11, 2019

You guys do not understand what Punch Newspaper has done.

They have faced Buhari squarely till he stops being a dictator.

They will now refer to him as Gen. Buhari and his govt as regime.

My heart swells with joy.

— the Morris Monye factor (@Morris_Monye) December 11, 2019

PUNCH BELLS THE CAT… KUDOS…
Buhari’s lawlessness: Our stand https://t.co/xsuFNFY7Mn via @MobilePunch

— Dele Momodu Ovation (@DeleMomodu) December 11, 2019

Either of two things will happen:

Buhari will rid himself of all vestiges of tyranny and conform to the Rule of Law,

Or he will go harder, further into tyranny and shut down Punch newspapers.

Whichever path he chooses will form a memorable part of his legacy.

— Demola Olarewaju (@DemolaRewaju) December 11, 2019

Punch throws a punch! And it’s a really hard one. Those who didn’t witness the civil resistance against military regimes, especially Abacha’s and the rise of NADECO, PRONACO, CP, etc should watch this space. The final battle line is drawn… I WARNED YOU ALL, INCLUDING PUNCH!! pic.twitter.com/Ym0qacHBme

— #IgboMade! (@OdogwuOgbete) December 11, 2019

The Punch NG just made a major and uncowardly decision by henceforth referring Buhari as General Buhari and calling his administration a regime due to his autocratic/Military ruling like he did back in the 80s

Not all organizations have the balls to make such decisions. No ?

— Biyi The Plug ? (@BiyiThePlug) December 11, 2019

It is not enough to just tweet support for @MobilePunch for this wonderful editorial https://t.co/RDvlmMT17z

They will be hit in the pockets.
Please buy their paper.
Visit their website and click on the Google ads therein.

One of the govt’s weapons is financial.
Help Punch.

— Chxta (@Chxta) December 11, 2019

The gloves are finally off. I called out Punch’s deliberate sectionalism last night, but I’m sincerely indifferent to their editorial decision to pursue activism in this fashion. Whether this is professional, is a question for media ethics theorists. pic.twitter.com/BCAkifPgBD

— Gimba Kakanda (@gimbakakanda) December 11, 2019