Human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, on Wednesday declared that no security agency in the country — including the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force — could stop what he described as the “inevitable revolution” against Nigeria’s political establishment.
Sowore made the declaration during the annual RevolutionNow protest in Abuja, marking the August 5 anniversary of the movement he launched in 2019 following his arrest and detention on treason-related charges under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Addressing supporters amid a heavy security presence, the AAC leader insisted that the movement was founded to dismantle Nigeria’s ruling elite, arguing that the country’s worsening economic hardship, insecurity and governance challenges had made the call for a revolution more urgent under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, the demand for change can no longer be suppressed by force.
«”Revolution was created to remove the elites from power. Today, August 5, we have reminded the entire country that the revolution is necessary and imminent. Nothing can stop it. Not the police, not the army, not the barbed wire. When Nigerians are ready, even the security agencies will stand with the people,” he declared.»
Sowore unveiled a fresh list of demands by the movement, including an upward review of Nigeria’s minimum wage to N500,000 per month, the immediate release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, and the withdrawal of all criminal charges against activists and critics facing prosecution for speaking against the government.
He argued that the current minimum wage no longer reflects Nigeria’s economic realities, insisting that workers deserve salaries capable of sustaining decent living standards amid soaring inflation and the rising cost of living.
“We have asked that Nigerian workers be paid N500,000 as the minimum wage. We have also demanded the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu from what we consider unlawful detention, and an end to cybercrime and treason trials targeted at citizens who speak against bad governance,” he said.
The activist also intensified his criticism of President Tinubu, declaring that the administration had exhausted its legitimacy.
«”Tinubu’s turn is over. Tinubu must go,” he said, drawing loud chants of approval from protesters.»
Sowore disclosed that the demonstrations were not confined to Abuja, stating that supporters of the RevolutionNow movement simultaneously took to the streets in Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt and several other cities across the country.
He described Wednesday’s protest as the opening phase of what he called a sustained nationwide campaign aimed at mobilising Nigerians against hunger, corruption, poor governance and economic hardship.
“This is only the beginning. Nigerians everywhere should join us to build a new order. We are tired of hunger, starvation, corruption and incompetent leadership. We are determined to liberate this country,” he said.
Expressing confidence in the movement’s growing support, Sowore maintained that security agencies would ultimately be unable to shield the Tinubu administration from public anger.
“They can’t save Tinubu. They know they can’t,” he asserted.
The former presidential candidate further alleged that unidentified individuals were recruited to disrupt the protest but claimed the attempt failed after demonstrators stood their ground.
He also taunted operatives of the Department of State Services, who were present around the protest venue, insisting they lacked the courage to arrest him despite years of confrontation with the agency.
“DSS is here. The Army is here. The Police are here. Yet they cannot come near me. Shame on those using state institutions to intimidate citizens,” he declared.
Sowore went further to demand the removal of the Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Ajayi, accusing the nation’s intelligence agency of failing in its constitutional responsibilities.
He vowed that the movement would continue mounting pressure on the agency’s leadership, insisting Nigerians were “tired of incompetent people managing the country’s security institutions.”
Throughout the demonstration, protesters repeatedly chanted, “Revolution! Revolution! Let Tinubu hear our chant!”, while waving placards demanding political reforms, economic justice and accountability in government.
The RevolutionNow movement has staged annual protests every August 5 since its inception in 2019, advocating sweeping political and economic reforms, improved governance, an end to corruption, respect for civil liberties and relief from the worsening hardship confronting millions of Nigerians.