Atiku will return to Dubai – Sowore explains absence from ‘occupy INEC’ protest

Activist and politician Omoyele Sowore has clarified his reasons for not personally joining the “Occupy INEC” protest organized by prominent members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Sowore stated that his activism is rooted in principle, contrasting his approach with that of figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, whom he noted would return to his residence in Dubai after the election cycle.

The protest at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja involved several ADC leaders, including Atiku, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso. They were demonstrating against the delisting of their party’s faction.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja following the demonstration, Sowore affirmed his support for challenging electoral issues through public action.

“I support any form of protest against any form of irregularities,” he said. “This is what we have been doing and saying—that you can’t get the results we want without protest.”

Sowore highlighted a shift in public perception, noting that politicians are now embracing activism to gain public trust. “They used to mock us that activists can’t be good leaders, but now the people want to become activists first so that people can trust them because they know that those trusted are genuine activists,” he observed.

However, he pointed out that some of the protesters were responsible for the very problems they are now decrying. “Some of the problems we have now, they are the ones who created them when they had the opportunity,” Sowore remarked. He cited an example, mentioning that former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola allegedly failed to grant promotions for nine years.

Despite his reservations, Sowore confirmed he encouraged his supporters to participate. “I support them, and I shared my fliers on my Facebook page that people should join them, and we sent people to join them,” he stated.

He concluded by emphasizing that his opposition is based on principle, not partisanship. “I’m not in opposition for opposition’s sake. I’m opposed to everything that is wrong in Nigeria, including what the opposition people were doing when they were not in opposition.”