Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has accused the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu of orchestrating what he described as politically motivated prosecutions aimed at securing his conviction and ultimately preventing him from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Sowore made the allegation on Friday in Abuja while addressing journalists ahead of appearances in two separate courts, a development he described as part of a broader campaign of intimidation against opposition voices and pro-democracy activists in Nigeria.
The activist, known for his outspoken criticism of successive governments, alleged that the Federal Government, prosecutors and the presiding judge in one of the matters before the court had already reached a predetermined conclusion regarding his fate.
According to him, the ultimate objective of the legal actions against him is to secure a criminal conviction that could be used as a basis for disqualifying him from future elections.
“They want to convict me at all costs so that I will be disqualified from contesting election because if you have a criminal record or have been convicted, that is what this is all about,” Sowore told journalists.
He specifically raised concerns over proceedings before Justice M.G. Umar, alleging judicial bias and claiming that actions taken during previous court sessions had reinforced his belief that he would not receive a fair hearing.
Sowore cited an incident in which his legal counsel was allegedly ordered to kneel before the court, describing the action as evidence of prejudice and hostility.
“We have made it clear to the judge the moment we saw it through his actions in court, including asking our counsel to kneel down before him. There is no way you can get justice in this kind of court,” he said.
The activist further argued that judicial officers should recuse themselves whenever a defendant openly expresses a lack of confidence in their ability to deliver impartial justice.
According to him, continuing to preside over such a case only deepens concerns about the integrity of the judicial process.
“Even in a Magistrate Court or any level of jurisprudence, if an accused person comes up and says, ‘I have no faith in you,’ any further action, the judge ought to recuse himself or herself from that matter,” Sowore stated.
Earlier in the day, Sowore had taken to social media to denounce what he called politically motivated prosecutions and judicial persecution.
In the post, he disclosed that he was scheduled to appear before two different courts on the same day, describing the development as a reflection of the pressure being mounted against him by authorities.
One of the matters is before a Magistrate Court in Kuje, Abuja, where he and 13 other defendants are facing charges linked to a protest demanding the release of detained separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu.
The second case is before Justice M.G. Umar, where Sowore is being prosecuted over remarks in which he allegedly described President Tinubu as a criminal.
Reflecting on the unusual situation of facing two separate legal battles simultaneously, Sowore wrote that he had “the singular honor of appearing in two courts in one day.”
“This morning, I am standing trial at the Kuje Magistrate Court with 13 others for demanding that the illegitimate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” he stated.
“At the same time today, I will appear before Justice M.G. Umar, who is determined to convict me for calling his lord and master, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a criminal.”
Despite the legal challenges, Sowore maintained that he would not be intimidated or discouraged from continuing his activism and political engagements.
He insisted that no amount of pressure from state institutions would force him to abandon what he described as the struggle for justice, accountability and democratic freedom.
“Regardless of these politically motivated prosecutions, the struggle for liberation cannot be stopped. No amount of intimidation, harassment, or judicial persecution can silence the demand for justice and freedom,” he declared.
He concluded his remarks with the slogans “The liberation struggle continues,” “Revolution Now,” and “Tinubu Must Go Now.”
Sowore, who represented the AAC in both the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections, has consistently accused governments and state institutions of suppressing dissenting voices and targeting political opponents through the legal system.
His latest allegations come at a time when political conversations surrounding the 2027 general elections are beginning to gather momentum, with observers closely watching potential contenders and emerging opposition movements across the country.