Dare Babalola
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has explained why he declined an invitation to attend the Ibadan opposition summit, saying the gathering does not represent the genuine alternative Nigerians are seeking.
In a statement posted on Sunday via his X (formerly Twitter) account, Sowore said he was invited to the meeting but chose not to attend, questioning the credibility of those behind the initiative.
“I was invited to attend the so-called ‘Opposition Summit’ in Ibadan, but I declined,” he stated.
He criticised the composition of the summit, arguing that many of those positioning themselves as opposition figures were previously responsible for Nigeria’s governance challenges.
“There is no need to pretend that the same men (and a few women) who held Nigeria to ransom for years, presiding over stagnation, corruption, and systemic decay, can suddenly reinvent themselves as champions of progress or defenders of the people,” Sowore said.
“Not all Nigerians are suffering from amnesia.”
Sowore further clarified that his political platform, the African Action Congress (AAC), would not align with what he described as a deceptive coalition.
“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.
Instead, he emphasised AAC’s commitment to building what he termed a “people-driven alternative” anchored on transparency and accountability.
“We are committed to presenting a formidable, people-driven alternative, one rooted in integrity, accountability, and genuine transformation.”
The activist also took aim at major political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), accusing them of perpetuating a cycle of poor leadership.
“Nigeria does not need a rearrangement of the same broken pieces, it needs a complete break from the past,” he said.
The Ibadan summit, which brought together several opposition figures, was aimed at fostering unity ahead of future political contests, though it has drawn mixed reactions from stakeholders across the country.
