- Omoyele Sowore declined an invitation to the Ibadan opposition summit
- He criticised the gathering as a recycling of failed political actors
- Sowore said his party would focus on building a credible, people-driven alternative
Activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has explained his decision to decline an invitation to an opposition summit held in Ibadan, Oyo State, stating that Nigerians deserve a genuine alternative rather than what he described as a recycling of failed political actors.
In a post shared on X on Sunday, Sowore dismissed the gathering as lacking substance, arguing that many of the individuals involved had previously contributed to the country’s socio-economic challenges.
“I was invited to attend the so-called ‘Opposition Summit’ in Ibadan, but I declined,” he wrote. “There is no need to pretend that the same men (and a few women) who held Nigeria to ransom for years… can suddenly reinvent themselves as champions of progress.”
The former presidential candidate maintained that his party, the African Action Congress (AAC), would not associate with what he termed a deceptive political arrangement aimed at rebranding established political figures.
“For the avoidance of doubt, our revolutionary party… will not be part of any charade designed to recycle failed political actors under the guise of ‘opposition,’” he added.
Sowore said his focus remains on building a people-driven political movement anchored on accountability, integrity and systemic reform. According to him, Nigeria requires a fundamental shift in its political culture rather than a reconfiguration of existing power structures.
“Instead, we are committed to presenting a formidable, people-driven alternative, one rooted in integrity, accountability, and genuine transformation,” he stated.
He also criticised major political parties across the spectrum, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party and others, accusing them of representing the same entrenched political system.
“Nigeria does not need a rearrangement of the same broken pieces; it needs a complete break from the past,” Sowore said.
The summit, held at the Oyo State Government House, brought together prominent opposition figures, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who chaired the meeting, and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who hosted.
Other attendees included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, alongside several opposition leaders.
Organisers said the summit, themed “That We May Work Together for a United Opposition to Sustain Our Democracy,” aimed to strengthen coordination among opposition parties and present a united front ahead of future elections.
However, Sowore’s rejection underscores ongoing divisions within Nigeria’s opposition landscape, highlighting differing strategies on how best to challenge the ruling establishment and address the country’s political and economic challenges.
Sowore slams senators over e-transmission of election results
Earlier, TheRadar reported that Human rights activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore has criticised Nigerian senators, saying they cannot be trusted to handle the issue of real-time electronic transmission of election results.
Sowore made the remarks on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s ‘The Morning Brief’, where he commented on the ongoing debates surrounding the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
His comments follow the “Occupy National Assembly” protest held in Abuja on Monday, during which Nigerians gathered to express opposition to the Senate’s rejection of mandatory e-transmission of election results.