Omoyele Sowore, the candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in both the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections, has unequivocally expressed his belief that former President Muhammadu Buhari should be held responsible for the grave offenses he committed during his tenure. These offenses include human rights violations and enforced disappearances, issues that have plagued Nigeria.
Speaking at an event commemorating the 2023 International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearance in Abuja, Sowore emphasized that he envisions a future where Buhari faces justice, potentially being handcuffed and held accountable for his actions, either within Nigeria or on the international stage at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The prominent human rights activist and convener of the #RevolutionNow movement drew attention to the contrasting treatment of leaders in Nigeria and more developed countries. He pointed out that Nigerian leaders accused of wrongdoing are often offered generous pensions upon leaving office, whereas leaders in advanced democracies face legal action and prosecution for their transgressions.
Highlighting the long-standing democracy and human rights principles in the United States, the nation from which Nigeria modeled its own democracy, Sowore noted that even former US President Donald Trump has faced charges multiple times for a variety of offenses.
Sowore expressed his dismay at the differing treatment in Nigeria, where leaders associated with corruption and human rights abuses often receive warm receptions rather than legal repercussions. He cited the case of Buhari, who after leaving office, received government-funded medical treatment in London rather than being held accountable at the ICC for alleged human rights violations.
In Sowore’s view, the violations that occurred under the Buhari regime, including the forceful disappearance of individuals, pale in comparison to the magnitude of their human rights transgressions. He highlighted the killing of alleged IPOB (Indigenous People of Biafra) members and the reported overnight burial of 3,000 Shiite members in Zaria as egregious examples.
Sowore passionately called for a shift in the nation’s approach, urging that Nigerian leaders must ultimately be held accountable for their actions, whether they are in power or not. He expressed his aspiration to witness Buhari held accountable, even suggesting the possibility of legal proceedings at the International Criminal Court of Justice.
The activist underscored that there are no time limits for these crimes; justice can be pursued regardless of when the offenses were committed. This includes members of the military, police, and other security agencies. Sowore emphasized that those who have wronged the Nigerian people must be made to answer for their actions, regardless of the passage of time. He concluded with the assertion that accountability is inevitable, and perpetrators of injustice will eventually face the consequences of their actions, even in their retirement.