Human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 elections, Omoyele Sowore, has ruled out the possibility of joining the ongoing opposition coalition seeking to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
Sowore made his position clear in a statement on Tuesday, declaring that he could not align himself with political figures he accused of “destroying Nigeria” through corruption, betrayal, and abuse of power.
“I did not join Bola Ahmed Tinubu in distributing heroin and cocaine in Chicago,” Sowore said.
“I did not join Atiku Abubakar in looting the Nigerian Customs dry. I did not join David Mark when he stole funds meant to fix our telephones and later helped to crush our democratic hopes on June 12.”
In a fiery rebuke of Nigeria’s political establishment, Sowore listed political heavyweights he accused of playing destructive roles in the nation’s history, including former governors, ministers, and presidential candidates.
“I did not join Abubakar Malami, SAN, in violating human rights and looting the treasury under Muhammadu Buhari’s watch.
“I did not join Nasir El-Rufai in massacring Shiites and fueling religious genocide in Southern Kaduna.
“I did not join Peter Obi at the Tin Can Ports while he cleared goods for Sani Abacha when the same Abacha was dismantling Nigeria brick by brick.”
Rejecting calls for ideological compromise in the name of political expediency, Sowore emphasised that he has “never joined an armed robbery gang” or pledged allegiance to any “cult—no matter how popular, powerful, or fanciful.”
“I have only one allegiance: to the oppressed, the disenfranchised, the cheated, the silenced,” he declared.
“I will join only those ready and willing to end this national nightmare created by these characters listed above!”
Sowore concluded with a rallying cry for his #RevolutionNow movement, saying, “Let it be known: I stand with a vanguard of justice. A coalition of truth. A revolutionary team to restore the dignity of Nigerians. Nigeria must be free from these evil doers.”
Sowore’s comments came in response to growing pressure from civil society figures and opposition leaders to join a broad-based coalition aimed at ending the APC’s grip on power.
One of the most prominent calls came from fellow activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, who in an open letter appealed to Sowore to set aside ideological purity for the greater good of democratic progress.
“Dear Egbon Omoyele Sowore,” Adeyanju wrote, “I know you are different and unlike the thieving Nigerian politicians but please consider joining the coalition, sir. Forget about what people will say about your long-lasting principles and ideological values.”
He continued, “Extraordinary circumstances call for extraordinary measures. Politics is different from morality and activism; it’s a game of numbers.”
Adeyanju argued that Sowore’s inclusion in the coalition could win him widespread admiration and strengthen efforts to dislodge the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
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