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I will join only those ready and willing to end this national nightmare created by these characters listed above. A revolutionary team to restore the dignity of Nigerians.
Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has firmly rejected a call to join the growing opposition coalition aimed at removing the All Progressives Congress (APC) from power, declaring instead that he will only align with a “Coalition of Truth.”
Sowore made this known in a strong and passionate response to an open appeal by human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju.
Earlier on Wednesday morning, Adeyanju had urged Sowore—via a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account—to consider putting aside ideological rigidity and join forces with opposition figures in a united front against the ruling APC in the next general elections.
“I am fully aware that you are fundamentally different from the corrupt political elite that dominate Nigeria’s landscape,” Adeyanju wrote. “However, I humbly ask you to consider joining the coalition movement. Please disregard the potential criticism about compromising your long-held ideals or diluting your political values. We are facing extraordinary times, and such moments demand extraordinary decisions.” Read here.
Sowore, however, was unequivocal in his refusal. In a detailed statement, he rejected the idea of associating with what he described as Nigeria’s long-standing cabal of corrupt and oppressive politicians. He listed several political leaders across party lines, accusing them of various acts of betrayal, corruption, and abuse of power.
“I did not join Bola Ahmed Tinubu in distributing heroin and cocaine in Chicago,” Sowore began. “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.”
Continuing, he added: “I did not join Abubakar Malami, SAN, in violating human rights and looting the treasury under Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
“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, even as Abacha was dismantling Nigeria brick by brick.”
Sowore also referenced others he said contributed to Nigeria’s democratic setbacks:
“I did not join Sule Lamido and the SDP traitors who sold out MKO Abiola and the will of the Nigerian people.
“I did not join Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi while he gambled away Rivers State funds and abandoned the mini-rail project that had already been paid for.”
He emphasized that his political path has always been rooted in justice, truth, and resistance against corruption: “I have never joined an armed robbery gang. I have never pledged allegiance to any cult—no matter how popular, powerful, or fanciful. I have only one allegiance: to the oppressed, the disenfranchised, the cheated, and the silenced.”
Sowore concluded with a declaration of intent and purpose, “I will join only those ready and willing to end this national nightmare created by these characters listed above.
“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 evildoers.”