BREAKING NEWS: “I Stand My Ground” — Sowore Reacts After Rejecting Ibadan Political Summit

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has explained why he declined an invitation to attend the recent opposition leaders’ summit held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Sowore disclosed this on Sunday via his social media handle, stating that he chose not to participate in what he described as a gathering of “recycled” political actors.

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

The activist criticized the composition of the summit, arguing that many of the political figures involved had previously been part of governments he believes contributed to Nigeria’s current challenges.

“There is no need to pretend that the same men (and a few women) who held Nigeria to ransom for years… can suddenly reinvent themselves as champions of progress,” he added.

Sowore, who is a leading figure in the African Action Congress (AAC), emphasized that his party would not align with what he termed a “charade” aimed at repackaging old political structures.

He reiterated the AAC’s commitment to building a people-driven alternative focused on integrity, accountability, and systemic transformation.

“We are committed to presenting a formidable, people-driven alternative… Nigeria does not need a rearrangement of the same broken pieces; it needs a complete break from the past,” he stated.

The activist also dismissed both the ruling All Progressives Congress and other opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party, accusing them of failing to offer genuine solutions to the country’s problems.

The Ibadan summit, hosted in Ibadan, brought together several opposition leaders to discuss strategies for collaboration ahead of future elections.

Sowore’s rejection of the invitation has sparked reactions across political circles, with supporters praising his stance as principled, while critics argue that broader collaboration among opposition groups may be necessary to achieve meaningful political change.

Observers say his comments highlight ongoing divisions within Nigeria’s opposition space, even as calls for unity continue to grow ahead of the next electoral cycle.