Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has slammed the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a failed attempt to create a viable alternative to the PDP, arguing that the ruling party lacks the political will and capacity to bring about meaningful change in Nigeria.
Sowore made this known during a hard-hitting interview with Seun Okinbaloye on the “MIC ON For The Independent Mind Podcast,” activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore minced no words in expressing his disillusionment with the APC administration under President Bola Tinubu.
Sowore also expressed vehement opposition to the prospect of aligning with the APC or any of the other mainstream political parties in Nigeria. He argued that these groups had a track record of corruption and mismanagement, pointing to their apparent disregard for the common good and focus on self-enrichment.
Sowore contended that forging alliances with such parties would compromise his principles and impede his efforts to address the country’s entrenched problems. Instead, he advocated for a more radical approach, calling for a break from the status quo and a new political movement that would put the needs of ordinary Nigerians first.
Sowore condemned the APC as an amalgamation of disaffected PDP members seeking to capitalize on political opportunities rather than effect substantive change.
Sowore said, “The APC became an alliance of disgruntled PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) people – the Sarakis (referring to former Governor of Kwara State and former Senate President, Bukola Saraki) of this world, Amaechis (Rotimi Amaechi – former Minister of Transportation and former governor, Rivers State) of this world, all of them came together and formed the APC; alliances that are aimed at stealing and robbing the Nigerian people of their commonwealth”.
Speaking further, Sowore noted, “You think that the DNAs of the new group in alliance or the mega party will change because Peter Obi has new followers? Was he able to change it when he was in PDP? Did he change it when he was in APGA (All Progressives Grand Alliance)?
Sowore also disclosed that his activism during the reign of General Sani Abacha had led to the withholding of his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate. He described the injustice of being penalized for exercising his fundamental human rights to protest against an oppressive military dictatorship. Sowore’s personal experience was presented as a reflection of the longstanding systemic oppression and corruption that have plagued Nigeria for decades, reinforcing his argument for a radical break from the status quo and a new vision for the country’s political and social future.
General Sani Abacha’s regime, which spanned five years from 1993 to 1998, was marked by human rights abuses, corruption, and authoritarianism. His rule was characterized by widespread crackdowns on political opposition, media censorship, and the embezzlement of billions of dollars from the national treasury. Despite facing international condemnation for his repressive policies, Abacha maintained a firm grip on power until his sudden death in 1998.
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