Renowned human rights advocate and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has declared that his extensive history of activism and resistance against authoritarian regimes qualifies him to lead Nigeria as its next president.
Speaking during an in-depth interview with TV Platinum, Sowore provided a detailed account of his more than three-decade-long engagement in Nigeria’s democratic struggle, recounting how he confronted some of the country’s most powerful and repressive figures from military dictators to elected presidents.
“Do you know what it means to have taken on some of the most dangerous political struggles in the last 35 years? Is that not experience?” Sowore asked. “I looked generals in the eye and demanded that they relinquish power. These weren’t paper generals, some were veterans of the Biafran war, ECOMOG commanders, men who had real combat history. I fought them all.”
Sowore, who first rose to national prominence in the 1990s as a fiery student activist during the dark days of military rule, said his initiation into political resistance began while still a university student.
He noted that at a time when fear ruled the streets and repression was widespread, he and other young Nigerians organized and led protests against the late General Sani Abacha’s regime.
“I was a student leader when General Abacha was in power. We led nationwide protests demanding that he step down. I was arrested, tortured, detained multiple times but we never stopped fighting,” he recalled. “We knew what was at stake. Democracy was not just a slogan to us. It was a right we were ready to suffer for.”
Sowore also reflected on his role in resisting the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, widely believed to have been won by Chief MKO Abiola.
He said he was instrumental in mobilizing students and civil society to resist General Ibrahim Babangida’s government and demand the reinstatement of the people’s mandate.
According to the activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, his commitment to democratic principles did not end with the exit of the military from Nigeria’s political space in 1999.
Instead, it evolved into a broader mission to hold civilian administrations accountable, regardless of party affiliation.
“Democracy doesn’t end when you remove men in uniform. It must be sustained by ensuring that their replacements don’t become dictators in civilian clothing,” he explained. “I challenged Obasanjo, I challenged Jonathan, and I challenged Buhari. Each time, it came with consequences, but I stayed consistent.”
He highlighted his prolonged legal battles and detention under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari as a testament to his resolve.
“When Buhari returned to power as a civilian president, I was one of the few who stood up to him publicly. I opposed his anti-people policies and paid the price for it,” he said. “I was abducted, detained unlawfully by the DSS, and denied basic freedoms. Yet, I refused to be silenced.”
Sowore believes that this long track record of personal sacrifice, resilience, and courage in the face of state oppression makes him uniquely qualified to lead Nigeria through its current crisis of leadership.
He criticized the current political elite for failing to challenge injustice and for benefitting from a system they helped to build and protect.
“Experience isn’t just about holding office,” he asserted. “It’s about what you’ve done when it mattered. I didn’t inherit power; I earned every inch of my voice. While others were silent or complicit, I stood for justice, even when it meant risking my life.”
His remarks have ignited fresh speculation about his political intentions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sowore has contested the presidency twice before, with campaigns centered on radical systemic reform, the fight against corruption, youth empowerment, and constitutional restructuring.
While he stopped short of formally announcing a fresh bid, his concluding comments left little doubt that another run is under consideration.
“We’re not done yet,” Sowore said emphatically. “Nigeria deserves leaders who have stood on the frontlines of history, not those who watched from the sidelines or sat comfortably in power. I have fought for this country for more than 30 years. I know its pains, and I know what it takes to heal it.Continue, Full, Reading>>>>
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