Sowore's Presidential Dream Unshaken by Arrest Order, AAC Calls for Action

Human rights activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, is still the presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2027 elections. The party has condemned the court order for his arrest and has asked its members across Nigeria to prepare for mass protests and political activities.

The AAC shared this message in a statement after an emergency meeting of its National Executive Committee, party candidates, and leaders of the Take It Back Movement on Thursday. The statement was signed by Acting National Chairman Samuel Ajeigbe and Take It Back Movement National Coordinator Sanyaolu Juwon, and it was released on Friday.

PUNCH Online reported that the Federal High Court in Abuja canceled the bail granted to Sowore because he did not show up in court. Justice Mohammed Umar issued a warrant for his arrest, noting that Sowore's absence without a valid excuse broke the bail conditions.

Sowore is being prosecuted for allegedly making false statements about President Bola Tinubu, whom he called “a criminal” in posts on social media. The court had planned to make a decision on Sowore's bail application, but the case was postponed due to his absence.

The AAC called the arrest order against Sowore part of a larger trend of intimidation against opposition figures, activists, journalists, labour leaders, and citizens exercising their rights.

“The arrest order against Comrade Omoyele Sowore cannot be seen as a separate issue. It is part of a broader political environment where dissent is increasingly viewed as a security threat and opposition politics faces legal and administrative challenges,” the statement said.

The party believes democracy cannot grow if opposition voices are harassed or if state institutions are seen as biased. It argued that the problems facing Nigerians go beyond Sowore’s case, claiming that the future of democracy, rights, and political involvement are at risk.

“The main issue for Nigerians is not about one person or political group. The future of democracy itself is what matters,” the statement added.

The AAC emphasized that the right to criticize the government, question those in charge, and offer different political ideas is essential in a democratic society. They pointed out that the socio-economic issues causing public demand for political change, like economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, inequality, and waning trust in governance, are still unresolved.

Among its decisions, the party expressed full support for Sowore and promised to defend his rights through lawful means. They also condemned efforts to use state mechanisms to silence political opposition and limit civic space.

The party instructed all its members nationwide to start preparing for protests, political rallies, mass meetings, and other activities leading up to the 2027 elections. They also plan to boost the production and distribution of campaign materials and strengthen ties with labour unions, student groups, civil society organizations, professional bodies, and other democratic groups.

The communiqué reaffirmed Sowore as the AAC’s presidential candidate, stating that “no act of intimidation, harassment, or political persecution will stop the party from fully participating in the 2027 elections.”

The party called on Nigerians to protect democratic values and urged workers, students, youth, women, professionals, faith-based groups, and civil society to stay alert.

“The protection of democratic rights is not just the job of political parties. It needs the active involvement of citizens who care about justice, accountability, and freedom,” the statement said. It added, “No arrest order can crush the dreams of a people determined to be free.”

The party finished by reinforcing its commitment to what it called “system change” and the freedom of Nigerians from poverty, stating that the country’s future belongs “not to repression, but to democracy; not to fear, but to freedom.”