₦airaland Forum

•Speaks On May 29

One of Nigeria’s fiercest opposition voices, Omoyele Sowore, in this interview opens up on the Tinubu administration, the death of democratic ideals, the collapse of opposition politics, and why he doesn’t believe in elections.

Sowore also explains why he wouldn’t align with Labour Party or Peter Obi, and what Nigerians must do before 2027.
Excerpts:

What are your thoughts on the Tinubu-led government as we approach another Democracy Day?

My position on this government is not a thought—it’s a clear stance I’ve held long before the 2023 elections. Nigerians made a grave mistake voting Bola Tinubu into office. I said it before, and I’ll say it again: when Tinubu is done with this country, Nigerians will be begging to return to Buhari’s era. He has done irreparable damage—economically, socially, politically. He has crippled institutions, education, and democracy. Buhari killed Nigeria in eight years; Tinubu came, in two years he is burying it.

So, you don’t think there’s anything to celebrate on this Democracy Day?
Nothing. In fact, what Nigerians are whispering—dangerously—is that they no longer believe in democracy. The promises of democracy—free speech, credible elections, freedom to choose—have been destroyed. Today, people celebrate military dictators just to express their frustration. But to be clear, I don’t support military rules. What we have now is a shambolic democracy. We’ve been taken on a roller coaster ride by both military and civilian rulers.

The House of Representatives is proposing a law to make voting compulsory. Are you ready to stand against this law if it passes?
If you have to use threats to force people to vote, then democracy is dead. Democracy is about choice. You cannot force people to participate in a system they no longer believe in. That proposal is not about participation; it’s about forced legitimacy. They’re panicking because fewer people are voting, so they want to cook up numbers and call it turnout. The people making these laws already know I will stand against them. But they also know the law is not enforceable. You can’t force people to vote when you haven’t fixed the electoral process.

Some Nigerians describe you as too radical and uncompromising. What’s your response?

I don’t think I’m radical enough. People who say that haven’t studied history. Every meaningful change in this world came through so-called radicals. I will not water down my convictions to please those who want me to fit into a box. The louder voices online don’t represent the majority of Nigerians. Those who truly suffer in this country know what I stand for—and they agree.


Has the Revolution Now movement died down?
Not at all. Revolutions take time. The French Revolution took over 10 years. The American Revolution, Cuban, Chinese revolutions all took time. You don’t judge a revolution by how loud it is. You judge it by how persistent the message is.

And that message is still alive. More Nigerians are openly asking for change today than they did in 2019. That’s progress.

Your campaign against the IGP—how far have you gone with it?
It has achieved results. Over 1,000 illegally retained senior police officers have been forced out. Police officers who haven’t been promoted in 20 years are now getting promoted. It has created a shift. But the ultimate goal is to get the IGP to resign—he’s overstayed. We haven’t given up.

There’s concern that the opposition voice is dying. What’s your view?

That’s because what you call opposition isn’t opposition. Most of them are former APC or PDP members. They share the same ideology—or lack of one. Real opposition means clear ideological difference. What we have are political mercenaries looking for the best-paying camp.


Are you saying there’s no true opposition?
Exactly. Most of these defections are transactional. They’re not about values or service. If you dig deeper, you’ll realise they’re just fighting over how to share the loot, not about how to serve the people.

Are you running in 2027?
I get this question a lot. My answer remains the same: I’ve never stopped running. Whether it’s a campaign, a protest, a court battle—I’m always running for something. But if you’re asking about elections, I don’t believe in the current ballot system. The 2027 results are already written. The only thing that can change Nigeria is rebellion against the system, against another sham election, not against democracy, anyway..

But can rebellion work without alliances?
The alliance I care about is with the oppressed. They are the real majority. The 50 million registered voters who don’t vote—they’re my alliance. Not transactional coalitions built to chase power and money.

Let’s talk about Atiku. Is he still relevant in Nigerian politics?
Atiku is a man whose time has passed. But he’s still hanging around, hoping to be President. That’s all he cares about. Everything else is irrelevant to him.

Some Nigerians believe Tinubu is laying foundations for a better Nigeria. What do you say to that?

They are being deceived. There’s nothing good coming from this. Removing fuel subsidy, floating the naira—none of it benefits ordinary people. The naira is still collapsing. Prices are rising. If they say this is the “hard road to prosperity”, I say it’s a road to destruction

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vanguardngr.com/2025/05/2027-election-results-have-been-written-democracy-is-gone-sowore/amp/

Tinubu. The name is a SHAME

We know na, that is why I am laughing at all the people doing coalition and expecting Tinubu to conduct a free and fair election...

2027 election is like Arsenal Man-U and Manchester City coming together to play Chelsea where Chelsea captain is also the referee of the match, we warned them about Tinubu, that's why I am not disturbing myself about 2027

Then the opposition should stop struggling as the election is over before conducted

SpecialAdviser:
Tinubu is just getting decampees and sharing the money to people that can challenge the result.

Nigerians should be warming up for SHEGE BANZA PART TWO

Did anyone send your principal not to dey give shishi?

Who doesnt know. They just need some groundwork to support the false figures. Pretend the people are happy. Fake endorsements. Pay the elites. Muffle the cries.
APC cannot win in Iragbiji or Ikoyi or Aso Rock.

Please make no mistake, Tinubu's government is favouring Sowere but he won't tell you.

Sowere is among the problems and not the solution. He is too bitter to engage in a meaningful plan to salvage Nigeria without selling out. He will sell you like Judas Iscariot.

helinues:
Then the opposition should stop struggling as the election is over before conducted

Don't you think your job here will be over if that happens, inevitably making you jobless? And you know what it means to be jobless in this Tinubu era... it's pure suicide

Bobloco:
Don't you think your job here will be over if that happens, inevitably making you jobless? And you know what it means to be jobless in this Tinubu era... it's pure suicide

When would you ever engage us maturely.

You can't be repeating same bullshit for years o. This forum.

Na your papa dey pay my bills. Stop talking nonsense jor

MadamExcellency:
Please make no mistake, Tinubu's government is favouring Sowere but he won't tell you.

Sowere is among the problems and not the solution. He is too bitter to engage in a meaningful plan to salvage Nigeria without selling out. He will sell you like Judas Iscariot.

sowore has no demonic structure to feed the cake to. He will choke Nigerians with benefits in the least. Structure alone eats 70% of the money.

helinues:
When would you ever engage us maturely.

You can't be repeating same bullshit for years o. This forum.

Na your papa dey pay my bills. Stop talking nonsense jor

Imagine Helinus talking about how to engage maturely.

Bobloco:
Imagine Helinus talking about how to engage maturely.

But you have the records of not engaging others maturely on this forum.

Or are you too busy to reflect on your own comments history?

Brendaniel:
We know na, that is why I am laughing at all the people doing coalition and expecting Tinubu to conduct a free and fair election...

2027 election is like Arsenal Man-U and Manchester City coming together to play Chelsea where Chelsea captain is also the referee of the match, we warned them about Tinubu, that's why I am not disturbing myself about 2027

hope sowore isn't an hypocrite today that he has talk about tinubu?

Talking t.rash.

Follow spirit go kill.
Follow humans go burial.

Fooling yourself thinking you are fooling anyone.

As if we dont know u r working for the same tinubu.

Sharpsharp00123:
hope sowore isn't an hypocrite today that he has talk about tinubu?

Sowore to me is unstable

Sowore should step aside na and stop fighting those who believe they can beat Tinubu

Soften:
No doubt about that
We're only waiting for the inevitable

SpecialAdviser:
Tinubu is just getting decampees and sharing the money to people that can challenge the result.

Nigerians should be warming up for SHEGE BANZA PART TWO

CodeTemplarr:
Who doesnt know. They just need some groundwork to support the false figures. Pretend the people are happy. Fake endorsements. Pay the elites. Muffle the cries.
APC cannot win in Iragbiji or Ikoyi or Aso Rock.

mrvitalis:
Sowore should step aside na and stop fighting those who believe they can beat Tinubu

Brendaniel:
We know na, that is why I am laughing at all the people doing coalition and expecting Tinubu to conduct a free and fair election...

2027 election is like Arsenal Man-U and Manchester City coming together to play Chelsea where Chelsea captain is also the referee of the match, we warned them about Tinubu, that's why I am not disturbing myself about 2027

Bobloco:
Don't you think your job here will be over if that happens, inevitably making you jobless? And you know what it means to be jobless in this Tinubu era... it's pure suicide

See dem, their deeqs are up now since he has said what they wanted to hear, he's not working for Tinubu now. Until he fires shots at their Twitter President, then there will be tears everywhere. Chai

The only person worth voting for as President is Sowore. He is the only one who has been fighting for a better Nigeria for over 30 years

Sowore is part of APC, that brought Buhari, he is only doing part of his bargain.

Sharpsharp00123:
hope sowore isn't an hypocrite today that he has talk about tinubu?

You dey mind them.. It's even one of them that rushed to create this thread by same Sowore they were insulting this yesterday . If God rebukes Obi today , they will call him a devil, that's why they will remain Twitter constituency to continue to entertain us on social media.

Just like how he turned Lagos to one party state, I think he will replicate it in Nigeria at large. If at all Tinubu will exit the scene,I think it is laughable if you think it will be by an election he will conduct and supervise.Tinubu is still the bookmakers favorite to win the election not because of a stellar performance,but it will be another snatch grab and run and this time the 36 state governors will be fully involved.

Paid activist trying to earn his pay.

This man should just be collecting his grants in peace and stay off politics,activism with no particular job or occupation all these years…

Sowore please rest

Batidiots go say na lie as no be Obi or Atiku him talk against