Sowore explained his absence from an opposition summit in Ibadan, and said Nigeria needed new leadership

Activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, explained his decision to decline the invitation to the opposition summit held in Ibadan, and stressed that Nigerians deserve a real alternative to the return of familiar political figures.

In a post shared on X on Sunday, Sowore dismissed the meeting as less than credible, arguing that many of its participants previously played roles in political and economic struggles in Nigeria.

“I was invited to attend the so-called ‘Opposition Summit’ in Ibadan, but I declined,” he wrote.

“There is no need to pretend that the men (and some women) who held Nigeria to ransom for years, presiding over stagnation, corruption and systemic rot, can suddenly transform themselves into champions of progress or defenders of the people. Not all Nigerians suffer from amnesia.”

He stressed that his party would not align with what he described as a misleading political coalition.

“For the avoidance of doubt, our revolutionary party, the African Action Congress, will not be part of any charade designed to recycle failed political actors under the guise of ‘opposition’,” he said.

Sowore added that his focus remained on building what he called a grassroots political movement anchored on transparency and accountability.

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“Instead, we are committed to delivering a resilient, community-based alternative, rooted in integrity, accountability and true transformation,” he added.

The AAC candidate also attacked major political parties across the country, accusing them of having the same political culture.

“We will mobilize Nigerians across the country to support a credible vision that rejects the decadence and fraud represented by the All Progressives Congress and their opportunistic comrades in the ADC, Peoples Democratic Party, Labor Party and others,” he said.

“Nigeria does not need to rebuild broken things, but needs a complete break from the past.”

The summit, held at the Oyo State Government House in Ibadan, brought together prominent opposition figures from across party lines, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who chaired the meeting, and Governor Seyi Makinde, who served as host.

Also present were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, as well as other political stakeholders.

According to organizers, the summit—entitled “That We Can Work Together for a United Opposition to Defend Our Democracy”—was organized to strengthen collaboration among opposition parties in addressing socio-economic and security challenges in Nigeria, while laying the foundation for unity ahead of the upcoming elections.