2027: Igboho Slams Sowore Over ‘Amala Politics’ Jab

Yoruba nation agitator Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has hit back hard at human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, dismissing his criticism of “transactional politics” as a mere rant that deserves no public attention.

The fiery response came through Igboho’s media aide, Olayomi Koiki, in a statement issued Tuesday in Ibadan, Oyo State capital. It followed a viral video where Sowore accused some regional agitators of engaging in “amala politics” – a slang for opportunistic, stomach-driven activism rather than genuine struggle.

Sowore had reportedly pointed fingers at Igboho’s recent endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, framing it as alignment with political actors for personal gain instead of principled Yoruba self-determination.

But Igboho, through Koiki, rejected the label outright, insisting his position stems from constitutional rights and the urgent need to protect lives and property in the South-West.

“We strongly reject the characterisation of Igboho’s activism as transactional. Such a myopic position misrepresents the intent and focus of our agitation on effective grassroots security in the South-West and Nigeria as a whole,” the statement read.

Igboho took the fight to Sowore personally, questioning his track record on the Yoruba cause. “How many protests did Sowore organise to push for my freedom? Sowore’s claim of fighting for the masses contradicts his alleged daily lodging expenses of N450,000 at a popular Lagos hotel,” he fired.

He made it clear he will not be forced into any camp. “I cannot be compelled to endorse political figures such as Peter Obi or Atiku Abubakar, or even align with Sowore’s political platform. I have the right to make independent political decisions based on the security and collective interests of the Yoruba people.”

Koiki stressed that Igboho’s movement has never been about grabbing power or chasing revolutionary leadership. Instead, it centres on real threats facing Yorubaland since 2020 – farmer killings, highway kidnappings, and attacks on traditional rulers.

“While Sowore has consistently promoted nationwide revolution as a pathway to leadership, Igboho’s approach is rooted in protecting lives, land and property within Yoruba territory. This agitation is a response to real and ongoing threats faced by communities in the region,” the aide added.

The statement also drew a sharp contrast with insecurity elsewhere in Nigeria. It referenced the multiple explosions that rocked Maiduguri, Borno State capital, on Monday, March 16, 2026, where three blasts – suspected suicide attacks – killed at least 23 people and injured over 108 others at locations including the Monday Market, Post Office area, and University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

NaijaChoice News gathered that these fresh northern tragedies underscore Igboho’s long-standing argument for localised security networks rather than waiting for a distant revolution.

Koiki challenged Sowore directly: “We challenge Sowore to assess the situation in his home state of Ondo, considering the growing cases of banditry, kidnapping and attacks on rural communities.”

The statement concluded by warning that tagging Igboho’s efforts as “amala politics” only downplays the deadly crisis staring farmers, women, children and traditional institutions in the face.

Igboho, who spent years in exile after his 2021 arrest in Cotonou, Benin Republic, has since returned home and shifted focus to South-West security architecture. His open backing for Tinubu’s second term has sparked debate among Yoruba stakeholders, with some praising it as pragmatic while others see it as a departure from separatist ideals.

Sowore, founder of Sahara Reporters and 2023 presidential candidate under the African Action Congress, remains a vocal critic of the current administration and has repeatedly called for a total overhaul of the system.