Nigerian human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised the Nigerian government for what he described as its preference for secrecy and authoritarianism, while citizens and activists continue to fight openly for justice and good governance.
Sowore made these remarks during a live interview on “KABENKO,” a radio programme hosted by Oluwaseyi Akinsola on Crown FM 101.5, Ile Ife, Osun State.
“The Nigerian government prefers to operate in darkness while we fight in the light,” Sowore said.
“We are trying to educate citizens about their rights, but the government makes things difficult and responds with threats and violence.”
The activist compared how democratic governments elsewhere respond to public scrutiny to how the Nigerian government reacts when questioned about public funds and broken promises.
"In places like America, when citizens ask how their government spends public resources, leaders appear on TV and radio to explain. But in Nigeria, if politicians go on air, it’s mostly to insult their fellow citizens or act like they are being forced to lead,” he said.
“Instead of addressing questions, they deploy police or soldiers to disrupt peaceful assemblies. If they don’t use security forces, they send thugs to attack people.”
He continued, “We are not new to this. We’ve been fighting for good governance for over three decades, since the military junta, before Nigeria transitioned to democracy. The people in power today are 'Ojelu' (Kleptocrats), not 'Oselu' (true politicians).”
Sowore explained the state of democracy in Nigeria, claiming it has lost its purpose.
“Democracy has now become a threat to the people it was meant to empower. The democracy we fought for was meant to serve the people, not a democracy of 'bi o ba pa, bi o ba bulese' (a democracy of violence and suppression).”
When asked if democracy is better than military rule, Sowore replied: “They can’t be compared. We fought against military regimes because we wanted good governance. But looking at where we are now, one wonders if this democracy hasn’t become a misplaced priority. Those of us who fought for it now suffer the most.”
He recalled his days as a student activist.
“When we were at the university, we fought against the military. If we were arrested and the court freed us, we were released. We followed Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Femi Falana, and others who mentored us in fighting for citizens’ rights,” he recounted.
Sowore also revealed that the government has continued to harass him for his activism.
“As I speak, the Nigerian government has seized my passport since February. They’ve refused to return it. They play a ‘hanky-panky’ game to frustrate people and strip citizens of their rights,” he said.
He said the growing hardship under democracy has led many to question if it was worth fighting for, noting that “people are suffering more now than ever”.
“Some are beginning to ask whether democracy is the right path. But we tell them that the fight isn't enough if you keep living in servitude.”
Speaking on the “Not Too Young to Run” law enacted in 2019 to encourage youth participation in politics, Sowore said the initiative has failed due to a lack of support.
“They passed the bill, but didn’t provide a platform for the youth to succeed. In other parts of the world, young people don’t wait—they fight for power. Here, they are denied jobs and opportunities while the political class enriches itself and their children,” he said.
“What the Nigerian government is doing is arming youth with cutlasses and knives, while they use the resources to build a future for their own families.”
Sowore spared no words in criticising the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the “government has failed on all fronts: security, infrastructure, economy, society, and politics”.
He also criticised the government's student loan scheme, claiming it would plunge students into long-term debt without solving the root problem.
He said, “It’s a trap. Even in America, many people spend their lives repaying student loans. Here, while students are told to take loans, senators earn N30 million a month. Those who enjoyed free education now tell poor students to go into debt.
“Did any of them take loans to go to school? I didn’t. I had free education. Now those who benefited from public education are oppressing others with debt.”
Recalling Nigeria’s past reputation in healthcare, Sowore said: “There was a time when Saudi royals came to Ibadan for medical treatment. Now our hospitals are in a state of comatose, deterioration and dilapidation. Anyone saying there’s free treatment and drugs in Nigerian hospitals needs to be questioned.”
Reflecting on his presidential ambition, Sowore said, “When I ran for president, people asked what experience I had. I told them: stealing public money is not experience, sending people to kill is not experience. I don’t have that kind of experience. But I have knowledge, education, and exposure to govern.”
Sowore identified joblessness as the root cause of insecurity in the country.
“Unemployment is the biggest driver of insecurity. The devil is employing the youth without jobs.”
He added that only visionary leaders can change the country’s trajectory.
“People with no ideas run this country, while those with ideas are labelled critics. If we want Nigeria to be great, we must reclaim it from those who lead without a single constructive thought,” he said.
