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Nigerian political activities of Omoyele Sowore

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2026-08-31 19:27 UTC → 2026-09-03 04:58 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Omoyele Sowore, the 2027 presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC), has been involved in both political criticism and legal disputes in Nigeria. In August 2026, Sowore criticized former military Head of State Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida on his 85th birthday, accusing him of leaving a legacy that “did Nigeria dirty” by deepening corruption and undermining democratic governance. Later that month, the Department of State Services (DSS) sought to suspend Sowore’s prosecution for cybercrime and cyber-bullying. The charges stemmed from August 2025 social media posts in which Sowore referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.” The DSS stated the suspension, intended to last until after the January 2027 general elections, was a matter of “fairness” to allow for campaigning. Sowore rejected the adjournment, demanding the withdrawal of all charges and a public apology, while his legal team argued the prosecution was an attempt to criminalize free speech. By late August and early September 2026, DSS Director-General Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi approached the Federal High Court to formally request the suspension of proceedings. The DSS clarified it is not seeking to terminate the case or determine guilt, but aims to prevent the prosecution from “unnecessarily complicating the democratic process.” While Sowore’s counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, argued the agency lacks a prosecutorial mandate and suggested the case be moved to the Ministry of Justice, other groups have offered support. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) commended the decision, and the Foundation for Democracy in Africa (FDA) described the move as a “victory for fair play” that aligns with international democratic principles.

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