₦airaland Forum

Mr. Sowore, Nigeria's perennial anti-establishment activist and failed presidential candidate, is a study in the utter folly of hubris in the face of overwhelming odds. Dating back to his days as a student union rabble-rouser, Sowore demonstrated a consistent reckless disregard for his own safety by confronting one Nigerian government after another with allegations ranging from the legitimate to the absurd, yet, as the years turned to decades, the utter futility of his rampages never once seemed to dawn on Sowore, whose passion for publicity remained as fiery as it was when he was a young idealist issuing rallying cries to rented baying mobs of unemployed comedians.

Consider, for example, this video clip recorded by Sowore himself, documenting his storming past police guards at the gate of an Abuja court building. While other law-abiding court visitors paused to authenticate the purpose for their arrival at that gate, the pompous and entitled Sowore strode past the police guard, and then became loud and confrontational the instant a polite and respectful police officer ran after him to remind him of the obligation to identify himself and his mission BEFORE entering the court premises.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajZzHXGVLSM

In a matter of seconds, Sowore, who frequently reminds the press about his one-time residence in the USA where police instructions can only be ignored by a black man who is suicidal, engaged in a shouting and shoving match with ARMED police officers who remained courteous yet firm in their insistence that EVERYONE seeking to enter that Abuja court premises MUST stop at the gate police post, and explain their mission at the court building BEFORE entering with police permission.

The above video clip filmed by Sowore himself epitomizes the mindless arrogance, delusions of grandeur, and comical sense of entitlement that defines his conduct when confronted with authorities and officers of the law. Today, Sowore is sitting in a police cell whimpering about a broken wrist that was no doubt sustained when this loud-mouthed little man AGAIN tried to get physical with police officers who entered his jail cell.

It is on record that Sowore has made unfounded public accusations against Nigeria's current head of state, just as he has done against Peter Obi, who contested Nigeria's most recent presidential election. Sowore finds himself in a cell today because he felt entitled to protest the promotion of a senior ranking police officer, as though such matters are the business of ANY civilian commentator. Having spent his entire life poking beehives and sleeping lions with sticks, perhaps now, at long last, Sowore is about to reap the assured dividends due to him as a reward for his lifetime of pointless aggressive confrontation with the powers that be.

Opinions supporting or mocking professional noisemaker Sowore, the Don Quixote of Nigeria, are welcome, in response to this short essay.

@Jakumo.

You are 100% correct. Sowore is a disgrace to himself and Nigerian politics because foreigners viewing his antics will argue his unrefined, agbero-like and irresponsible behaviour is confirmation, according to popular claim, "Nigerians are difficult people".

The excerpt below says it all as the perfect summation of the hypocritical, lawless and attention-seeking menace he is.

Sowore, who frequently reminds the press about his one-time residence in the USA where police instructions can only be ignored by a black man who is suicidal, engaged in a shouting and shoving match with ARMED police officers who remained courteous yet firm in their insistence that EVERYONE seeking to enter that Abuja court premises MUST stop at the gate police post, and explain their mission at the court building BEFORE entering

Jakumo.

Love your style of writing.

Imagine sowore had a loyal mob behind him like the obedient, he would have caused chaos.

I can't agree less to this, well said Jakumo. He needs to caution himself.

WizardOfNG:
@Jakumo.

You are 100% correct. Sowore is a disgrace to himself and Nigerian politics because foreigners viewing his antics will argue his unrefined, agbero-like and irresponsible behaviour is confirmation, according to popular claim, "Nigerians are difficult people".

The excerpt below says it all as the perfect summation of the hypocritical, lawless and attention-seeking menace he is.

I thank you for this response, WizardofNG. Maybe when Sowore emerges from his latest holiday behind bars, he can get in touch with fellow drunkard musician Wasiu Ayinde of the aircraft wrestling fame, so they can form a new political party as a vehicle for the next electoral defeat that Sowore will record for himself as yet another publicity stunt.

Jakumo:
I thank you for this response, WizardofNG. Maybe when Sowore emerges from his latest holiday behind bars, [b]he can get in touch with fellow drunkard musician Wasiu Ayinde of the aircraft wrestling fame, [/b]so they can form a new political party as a vehicle for the next electoral defeat that Sowore will record for himself as yet another publicity stunt.

Excellent contextual comparison. Kwam 1 and Sowore are similar in terms of being exposed enough to know what is best for Nigeria and what both, as prominent Nigerians, must make the conscious effort to exemplify always with their public conduct.

When prominent Nigerians and leaders cannot lead the way, by example, why are we surprised Nigeria is lawless?

As your original post cited, can Sowore grapple with armed policemen in the USA as he does with Nigerian politics officers constantly?

Can Seyi Kuti slap a British or American policeman repeatedly, as he did the Nigerian policeman on third mainland, without ending up in the Sea below?

Can Kwam 1 attempt the lunacy of obstructing a moving airplane in any civilised nation of the world without very severe and personally grave consequences for him?

Will Smith, career-wise and personally, is yet to be rehabilitated in the eyes of global Hollywood fans because of his disgraceful publci assault of Chris Rock

All Nigerians, to include leaders and followers collectively, are not ready to understand we must play our part, beyond rhetoric and finger-pointing alone, to deliver the Nigeria of our dreams.

Sowore has been agitating for a better Nigeria for some 30 years. In that time, Nigeria has only gotten worse

Sowore has been arrested, detained, tortured multiple times by the authorities

If you think its about Sowore, then you have lost the plot

Sowore loves attention. I like him as a political pundit but those who can see through his smokescreen don't fall for his tantrums.

Ever since APC came into power, I don't know, he has been daring the police and wanting more prison or court time. Maybe it's his method of gaining cult hero status but you don't provoke a fight and expect no response.

OneCandleAway:
Jakumo.

Love your style of writing.

Imagine sowore had a loyal mob behind him like the obedient, he would have caused chaos.

Absolutely correct 💯%. No fan of Obi and his tacit encouragement of Obidients through his calculated and cynical silence over many of their condemnable antics. Yet Obi is no anarchist in my opinion.

Were Sowore to control a large and disruptive fundamentalist support base as Obi does, through the Obidient movement, he would be leading them irresponsibly into violent, "revolution now" battle and insurrection violence daily against Nigerian leaders with heavy human cost.

This is a character always ready to head to Lekki tollgate, at every excuse, to create a repeat of the #EndSARS protest there even as Nigeria has moved on from that.

He alone, as the irresponsible anarchist he is, remains unmindful of the disruption to the lives of Nigerians , especially those living on Lagos Island, his effort to turn Lekki tollgate into the Tianamen Square of Nigeria.

Yet he wants to be President to all Nigerians to include those who do not want their lives and livelihood disrupted daily by violent, unnecessary and misguided protests.

Sowore is the opposite of the coin to Nnamdi Kanu. If in charge of a group like the Obident then he would surely instruct, from a political podium, the same sustained, unproductiveand damaging cry of anarchy, to gain a cause, as Kanu does as a militia leader and violent secessionist through IPOB, UGM etal .

Sowore is a disgrace IMO.

papyjaypaul:
Sowore loves attention. I like him as a political pundit but those who can see through his smokescreen don't fall for his tantrums.

Ever since APC came into power, I don't know, he has been daring the police and wanting more prison or court time. Maybe it's his method of gaining cult hero status but you don't provoke a fight and expect no response.

Sowore is very dangerous individual to continue indulging in a restive аnd ethno-religiously divided nation like Nigeria.

He is an ideologically-empty and poor man's Che Guevara.

WizardOfNG:
Absolutely correct 💯%. No fan of Obi and his tacit encouragement of Obidients through his calculated and cynical silence over many of their condemnable antics. Yet Obi is no anarchist in my opinion.

Were Sowore to control a large and disruptive fundamentalist support base as Obi does, through the Obidient movement, he would be leading them irresponsibly into violent, "revolution now" battle and insurrection violence daily against Nigerian leaders with heavy human cost.

This is a character always ready to head to Lekki tollgate, at every excuse, to create a repeat of the #EndSARS protest there even as Nigeria has moved on from that.

He alone, as the irresponsible anarchist he is, remains unmindful of the disruption to the lives of Nigerians , especially those living Lagos Island, his effort to turn Lekki tollgate in the Tianamen Square of Nigeria.

Yet he wants to be President to all Nigerians to include those who do not want their lives and livelihood disrupted daily by violent, unnecessary and misguided protests.

Sowore is the opposite of the coin to Nnamdi Kanu. If in charge of a ground like the Obident then he would surely instruct, from a political podium, the same sustained, unproductiveand damaging cry of anarchy, to gain a cause, as Kanu does as a militia leader and violent secessionist.

Sowore is a disgrace IMO.

I think he wants people to see him and take him as a god. Such people are even more dangerous than the people they condemn if given power.

papyjaypaul:
Sowore wan take over this one but it will end up as a political protest. For me, Sowore is still surprised that the attention that should have gone to him went to Obi and it pained him so much from the way he spoke. Now, knowing fully well who Sowore is, how are we sure this is not a sponsored protest to manage the anger and hunger in the land Give small power to an opposition you can control then crush them when it is time because you know they are weak and buyable. I don't trust any politician, they all like to control the narrative so I cannot call this genuine. This is why they are afraid of another Endsars because deep down, they knew it was genuine and difficult to point to one person as the convener or leader they will buy out. This is what Kenyan youths learned that if you compromise, you go collect. I wrote on another thread that even though I don't agree with Ndume since he wasn't that vocal during Buhari's time, I am happy it is one of them telling the President to watch out. We should also focus on governors, most of them are irresponsible, that is why everytime it is always the President.

Again, we must not forget that if Obi or Atiiku were to call for a revolution, the treatment and reaction will never be the same. Obi has not said anything but it is Obidients that are causing chaos and problems abi? Now, Sowore is about to call for revolution, let's ignore him as a former presidential candidate. Clowns .Sowore, I am sorry you are heavily compromised here.

WizardOfNG:
Excellent contextual comparison. Kwam 1 and Sowore are similar in terms of being exposed enough to know what is best for Nigeria and what both, as prominent Nigerians, must make the conscious effort to exemplify always with their public conduct.

When prominent Nigerians and leaders cannot lead the way, by example, why are we surprised Nigeria is lawless?

As your original post cited, can Sowore grapple with armed policemen in the USA as he does with Nigerian politics officers constantly?

Can Seyi Kuti slap a British or American policeman repeatedly, as he did the Nigerian policeman on third mainland, without ending up in the Sea below?

Can Kwam 1 attempt the lunacy of obstructing a moving airplane in any civilised nation of the world without very severe and personally grave consequences for him?

Will Smith, career-wise and personally, is yet to be rehabilitated in the eyes of global Hollywood fans because of his disgraceful publci assault of Chris Rock

All Nigerians, to include leaders and followers collectively, are not ready to understand we must play our part, beyond rhetoric and finger-pointing alone, to deliver the Nigeria of our dreams.

These parallels you have drawn are most insightful. It is almost as though quite a few Nigerians who have seen that foreign countries quickly lock up disorderly people, wind up looking forward to behaving like lunatics when they are back in Nigeria, where they feel entitled to hide behind their African Big Man syndrome as a license to perpetrate anarchy with impunity.

You couldn't have said it better.

Sowere should paddle softly

Abeg leave that SUG president that has refused to grow up. Just that he is likely to have more votes than PDP in 2027

papyjaypaul:
I think he wants people to see him and take him as a god. Such people are even more dangerous than the people they condemn if given power.

100% correct. Sowore is unpopular, with support dwindling for him daily, because he leaves a bad taste in the mouth of Nigerians in regards to what a political leaders should be.

If I did not know better, I would conclude he is a lawless and anarchic Chicago gangbanger because of his decades long domicile in the USA.

Jakumo:
Sowore finds himself in a cell today because he felt entitled to protest the promotion of a senior ranking police officer, as though such matters are the business of ANY civilian commentator.

I was about to take you seriously, but then, I saw the above which is not only a mendacious assertion but also an insult to our collective intellect.

Why do you propagandists always act like the devil's kith & kin? Your paymasters shît and you scullions eat it voraciously. Now, you want to extend the same discourtsey to us?

Since I'm not in the mood to bandy words with any one of you pig's snout today, I'll just puncture your lie for all to see.

When Kayode Egbetokun was first appointed IGP on June 19, 2023 by President Bola Tinubu, his tenure was set to conclude on September 4, 2024, upon his attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60. However, just before his retirement, the President sent a bill to the National Assembly, seeking the amendment of section 18( of the Police Act by inserting a new provision which states that “Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-section ( of this section, any person appointed to the office of Inspector-General of Police shall remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in the letter of appointment in line with the provisions of Section 7(6) of this Act.”

By virtue of this, the IGP's tenure will commence in June 2023 and terminate in October 2027 (a few months after the general elections).

Again, even a person with half a brain cell knows what is at play here. Hence, the need Sowore and all right thinking person to protest. To remain silent in the face of such anomaly is tantamount to cowardice. And the Sowore that I know has never been a coward.

The persecution may persist for a while, but, the truth always prevails.

#Free_Sowore

ravensckar:
I was about to take you seriously, but then, I saw the above which is not only a mendacious assertion but also an insult to our collective intellect.

Why do you propagandists always act like the devil's kith & kin? Your paymasters shît and you scullions eat it voraciously. Now, you want to extend the same discourtsey to us?

Since I'm not in the mood to bandy words with any one of you pig's snout today, I'll just puncture your lie for all to see.

When Kayode Egbetokun was first appointed IGP on June 19, 2023 by President Bola Tinubu, his tenure was set to conclude on September 4, 2024, upon his attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60. However, just before his retirement, the President sent a bill to the National Assembly, seeking the amendment of section 18( of the Police Act by inserting a new provision which states that “Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-section ( of this section, any person appointed to the office of Inspector-General of Police shall remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in the letter of appointment in line with the provisions of Section 7(6) of this Act.”

By virtue of this, the IGP's tenure will commence in June 2023 and terminate in October 2027 (a few months after the general elections).

Again, even a person with half a brain cell knows what is at play here. Hence, the need Sowore and all right thinking person to protest. To remain silent in the face of such anomaly is tantamount to cowardice. And the Sowore that I know has never been a coward.

The persecution may persist for a while, but, the truth always prevails.

#Free_Sowore

The legal technicalities of how senior police officers are assigned are none of my business in Nigeria or anywhere else, sir, so I didn't bother to read through the details you have kindly provided for those who feel it might be their business to evaluate. Nonetheless I thank you for responding to this opinion that I have written today, while I accept that there will be variability of perspective regarding the predicament Mr. Sowore is now facing due to his preoccupation with government policy.

That isn't just legal technicalities. It is a deliberate and calculated attempt by Tinubu to perpetuate himself in power using manipulation of Law (Legislation) plus the instrumentality of the police force thrusted on one of his henchmen; the IGP ,to perpetrate his sinister plot. I might not condone the excesses of Sowore but on this, the Police are clearly vindictive and out of line.

That you, an enlightened person is feigning ignorance to these details and trying to act dismissive is mischievous. You are only using your writing mastery for your paymasters to sway the feeble minds and those that cannot read between the lines.

I am miffed with your submission. You are only trying to paint a picture of not being aligned with any interest, which is clearly false.

Jakumo:
The legal technicalities of how senior police officers are assigned are none of my business in Nigeria or anywhere else, sir, so I didn't bother to read through the details you have kindly provided for those who feel it might be their business to evaluate. Nonetheless I thank you for responding to this opinion that I have written today, while I accept that there will be variability of perspective regarding the predicament Mr. Sowore is now facing due to his preoccupation with government policy.

OSUNADC:
That isn't just legal technicalities. It is a deliberate and calculated attempt by Tinubu to perpetuate himself in power using the instrumentality of the police force thrusted on one of his henchmen; the IGP ,to perpetrate his sinister plot. I might not condone the excesses of Sowore but the Police are clearly vindictive.

That you, an enlightened person is feigning ignorance to these details and trying to act dismissive is mischievous. You are only writing to sway the feeble minds and those that cannot read between the lines.

I am miffed with your submission. You are only trying to paint a picture of not being aligned with any interest, which is clearly false.

I sincerely apologize for my lack of insight in these legal matters, and for any offense this may cause to those more familiar with the implications of what you have described. That said, my view of Sowore as a Rebel Without a Cause remains undiminished particularly now that he has busied himself hurling invective at BOTH the ruling party AND the opposition party leadership, among myriad other targets.

I fail to appreciate the logic that motivates such a combative attitude in a nation where the retribution of political power can manifest itself in ways that extend far beyond those stipulated by jurisprudence of even the constitution.

gidgiddy:
Sowore has been agitating for a better Nigeria for some 30 years. In that time, Nigeria has only gotten worse

Sowore has been arrested, detained, tortured multiple times by the authorities

If you think its about Sowore, then you have lost the plot

Sowore lost it when he started attacking Peter Obi. It makes zero sense that someone will focus their energy on fellow opposition instead of the people destroying the country.

Let's stop deceiving ourselves what we have in this country is a pseudo democracy.

If we had 9 more of Sowore in this country, thing's would be better today..

Nobody is all good or all bad.

Sowore's.good side outweighs his bad side..


And I see keyboard warriors who don't even have the courage to raise a placard against their Pastor or Imam calling Sowore an attention seeker.
People who can't stick their faces out from behind their wives' skirts calling Sowore an attention seeker!


Oya you seek attention and speak against Government let's see!

Whatever prism you are looking this from is unhealthy. You can't deliberately open nairaland and create a subjective topic of human right without doing your research or reading up the character plus events that snowballed to this particular tasteless episode. especially when it was revealed by his Lawyer that his arm was broken during manhandling by the Police. Sowore is not just a random person, a former SUG President, Presidential candidate; though controversial but not a nonentity. He represents some interests too and he cannot be treated as a common criminal. If he is treated in such obnoxious way, I fear for you, I fear for myself especially most of us that hold fierce contrary views to how this country is run.

Apologies accepted but I personally believe you can't be unaware of circumstances preceding this event without being privy to this persona, a public figure; yet writing scathing remarks and opinion about him or his unfortunate ordeal. It defies logical reasoning.

Jakumo:
I sincerely apologize for my lack of insight in these legal matters, and for any offense this may cause to those more familiar with the implications of what you have described. That said, my view of Sowore as a [b]Rebel Without a Cause [/b]remains undiminished particularly now that he has busied himself hurling invective at BOTH the ruling party AND the opposition party leadership, among myriad other targets.

I fail to appreciate the logic that motivates such a combative attitude in a nation where the retribution of political power can manifest itself in ways that extend far beyond thosprviy pulated by jurisprudence of even the constitution.

One theory says sowore is a double agent

Jakumo:
Mr. Sowore, Nigeria's perennial anti-establishment activist and failed presidential candidate, is a study in the utter folly of hubris in the face of overwhelming odds. Dating back to his days as a student union rabble-rouser, Sowore demonstrated a consistent reckless disregard for his own safety by confronting one Nigerian government after another with allegations ranging from the legitimate to the absurd, yet, as the years turned to decades, the utter futility of his rampages never once seemed to dawn on Sowore, whose passion for publicity remained as fiery as it was when he was a young idealist issuing rallying cries to rented baying mobs of unemployed comedians.

Consider, for example, this video clip recorded by Sowore himself, documenting his storming past police guards at the gate of an Abuja court building. While other law-abiding court visitors paused to authenticate the purpose for their arrival at that gate, the pompous and entitled Sowore strode past the police guard, and then became loud and confrontational the instant a polite and respectful police officer ran after him to remind him of the obligation to identify himself and his mission BEFORE entering the court premises.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajZzHXGVLSM

In a matter of seconds, Sowore, who frequently reminds the press about his one-time residence in the USA where police instructions can only be ignored by a black man who is suicidal, engaged in a shouting and shoving match with ARMED police officers who remained courteous yet firm in their insistence that EVERYONE seeking to enter that Abuja court premises MUST stop at the gate police post, and explain their mission at the court building BEFORE entering with police permission.

The above video clip filmed by Sowore himself epitomizes the mindless arrogance, delusions of grandeur, and comical sense of entitlement that defines his conduct when confronted with authorities and officers of the law. Today, Sowore is sitting in a police cell whimpering about a broken wrist that was no doubt sustained when this loud-mouthed little man AGAIN tried to get physical with police officers who entered his jail cell.

It is on record that Sowore has made unfounded public accusations against Nigeria's current head of state, just as he has done against Peter Obi, who contested Nigeria's most recent presidential election. Sowore finds himself in a cell today because he felt entitled to protest the promotion of a senior ranking police officer, as though such matters are the business of ANY civilian commentator. Having spent his entire life poking beehives and sleeping lions with sticks, perhaps now, at long last, Sowore is about to reap the assured dividends due to him as a reward for his lifetime of pointless aggressive confrontation with the powers that be.

Opinions supporting or mocking professional noisemaker Sowore, the Don Quixote of Nigeria, are welcome, in response to this short essay.

How much them dey pay ona self?

Na agbado or groundnut you leave the facts begin talk about wetin no follow.

Is the IG not an illegal IG?

With people like you it'll be hard for Nigeria to be better.

Before the election I go find way leave this shithole for ona.

Chubhie:
One theory says sowore is a double agent

The US is strongly behind him. He is their asset. Last time buhari kept him imprisoned for too long just one letter from the US Senate all the naija politicians started panicking.

OneCandleAway:
The US is strongly behind him. He is their asset. Last time buhari kept him imprisoned for too long just one letter from the US Senate all the naija politicians started panicking.

Donald Trump hates non-American people, but his deepest loathing is reserved for Black Africans, so the US government won't care in the slightest whether some obscure African career activist lives or dies.

haggai247:
How much them dey pay ona self?

Na agbado or groundnut you leave the facts begin talk about wetin no follow.

Is the IG not an illegal IG?

With people like you it'll be hard for Nigeria to be better.

Before the election I go find way leave this shithole for ona.

Have no fear, Young Grasshopper. The world will continue to turn without interruption even if Mr. Sowore dies in detention or commits suicide. That little man is of zero consequence to politics beyond that of his family living room.

Somehow, Peter Obi and his Obidient movement managed to enter this matter.