Sowore Criticizes El-Rufai and Amaechi as "Emergency Activists"

Former presidential candidate and activist Omoyele Sowore has labeled former governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) as "emergency activists," accusing them of opportunistic criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

El-Rufai and Amaechi, both former members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have recently intensified their criticism of the current government, particularly El-Rufai.

Sowore made his remarks in a video shared on his X account on Friday, following a court hearing where his bail conditions were approved.

Speaking to reporters, Sowore reaffirmed his unwavering dedication to advocating for Nigerians' welfare.

“The judge has finally granted bail after the hearing yesterday, and the bail conditions are very mathematical, so I leave it for the lawyers. But just to inform the Nigerian people that we are very resolute in making sure that this country is extricated from the hands of mediocre people holding the country to ransom.”

“We aren’t doing this because elections are coming. We are not emergency activists like those who just started yesterday—El-Rufai, Amaechi, and the rest of them. This is a matter of conviction. It’s our body clock that reminds us about injustice, not election calendars.”

Sowore also commented on the authorities’ interest in confiscating his passport, stating:

“You can take away my passport, but you can’t take away my right. You can’t shut me up; you can’t make me disappear; it’s not possible.”

The Abuja Federal High Court on Thursday ordered Sowore to meet his bail conditions within 24 hours.

He was arraigned before Justice Musa Liman on Cybercrime-related charges and was granted bail set at ₦10 million, with one surety in like sum.