Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has publicly declared that he declined an invitation to attend an “Opposition Summit” held in Ibadan, distancing himself and his political platform from what he described as a gathering of recycled political actors.
The summit, which brought together leaders and stakeholders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was held in Ibadan on April 25, with discussions reportedly focused on presenting a unified front ahead of the 2027 presidential election by fielding a single candidate.
In a statement shared via his Facebook page, Sowore criticized the credibility of the summit, arguing that many of those involved had previously contributed to Nigeria’s political and economic challenges. He stated that the same individuals who presided over years of “stagnation, corruption, and systemic decay” could not convincingly reposition themselves as agents of reform.
Sowore emphasized that Nigerians remain aware of the country’s political history and should not be swayed by what he characterized as attempts to rebrand failed leadership. According to him, the summit represents a superficial effort to create the impression of opposition unity without addressing deeper structural issues.
The activist further clarified that his party, the African Action Congress (AAC), would not participate in what he termed a “charade” aimed at recycling old political figures under a new label. He reiterated the party’s commitment to offering what he described as a genuine and transformative alternative.
Sowore concluded by asserting that Nigeria’s progress depends on a complete break from past political practices rather than a reconfiguration of existing power structures. He added that the AAC intends to mobilize citizens nationwide around a new vision centered on accountability, integrity, and people-driven governance.
