I declined invite to opposition summit in Ibadan — Sowore
Omoyele Sowore Rejects Invitation to National Opposition Summit
Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 elections, has declined an invitation to the National Opposition Summit held in Ibadan, Oyo State. Sowore characterized the gathering as an effort by established political figures to rebrand themselves without addressing their prior shortcomings.
On Saturday, leaders of various opposition parties convened in Ibadan, where they agreed to collaborate on presenting a single presidential candidate for the upcoming 2027 general election. The coalition includes the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chaired by Kabiru Turaki, and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
In a post on social media platform X on Sunday, Sowore explained his absence, stating he does not trust politicians who have contributed to what he calls years of stagnation, corruption, and systemic decay to suddenly transform into advocates for progress.
“I declined the Ibadan ‘Opposition Summit.’ Nigerians deserve a genuine alternative, not recycled failure,” he wrote.
Sowore emphasized that he sees no justification for allowing the same political figures responsible for Nigeria’s issues to claim they now represent the interests of the populace. He remarked, “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 Sahara Reporters publisher further stated that the AAC would not participate in what he described as a political charade aimed at reviving failed politicians under the pretext of opposition politics.
He affirmed the party’s commitment to establishing a people-driven alternative based on integrity, accountability, and genuine transformation. Sowore also indicated that the AAC plans to mobilize support for what he considers a credible political vision that deviates from both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition parties he views as opportunistic.
Sowore concluded by asserting that Nigeria’s political challenges necessitate a fundamental break from existing structures rather than a mere rearrangement of the same actors.
