Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has announced his intention to contest in the 2027 presidential election.
Sowore made the declaration during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Friday, where he revealed that preparations were already ongoing for the party’s forthcoming primary election.
When asked whether he planned to run for president again in 2027, the former AAC presidential candidate responded affirmatively.
“Yes. We have our party primaries next week,” Sowore stated during the interview.
Despite confirming his intention to contest, Sowore declined to imply that he would automatically emerge as the party’s candidate for the election.
“Well, let the party decide who their candidates are,” he added.
Speaking further during the programme, Sowore addressed the digital registration process introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission for political parties.
According to him, the AAC had not yet concluded its submission under the registration process, adding that the recent court ruling on the issue allowed parties to reopen and continue their submissions.
“We haven’t finally submitted, and that’s what this court judgment says. So if you have submitted now, the court says you can reopen your portal and start again. But we never stopped anyway,” he explained.
Criticises Nigeria’s Political Class
During the interview, Sowore also defended his political philosophy and argued that Nigerians should begin considering alternatives to the country’s traditional political figures.
When asked why he believed his ideas were superior to those of Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former presidential candidate Peter Obi, Seyi Makinde, and former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, Sowore said the existing political establishment was responsible for Nigeria’s current challenges.
“Because all of the ideas of the people you mentioned brought Nigeria into this cycle of poverty, insecurity, pain, sorrow, and tears.
“Do you want Nigeria to continue to get these same people elected or selected, whichever way they get themselves into office, so that they can suffer more, so that those of us who have ideas that can liberate this country will not be listened to?” he said.
‘I’m Running to Win’
Sowore insisted that his ambition was not symbolic but aimed at winning the presidency and introducing what he described as a new direction for the country.
“Yes,” he responded when asked if he was contesting to win the election.
“And it is because, as I’ve said several times, all the political parties are equal, and the better candidates should be able to win elections in this country, people with ideas.
“It’s different because these are different times also. Times are harder. Nigeria is in bigger trouble,” he added.
Sowore previously contested for president under the AAC platform in both the 2019 and 2023 general elections.
Over the years, he has consistently presented himself as an alternative to Nigeria’s mainstream political class while openly criticising both the ruling and opposition parties over the country’s economic situation and security concerns.
The 2027 general election is expected to hold with presidential and National Assembly elections tentatively scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State House of Assembly elections are expected to take place on February 6, 2027.
