I Was Ready To Lead Protests For Peter Obi In 2023, But – Sowore

Controversial human rights activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Omoyele Sowore, has dropped a bombshell revelation that is already tearing social media apart.

In a fresh video making waves across platforms, Sowore declared that he personally volunteered and was fully prepared to lead nationwide protests to reclaim what Peter Obi claims was his stolen mandate after the February 25, 2023 presidential poll. But according to him, Obi simply refused to step up and fight.

“I was ready to lead protests for Peter Obi’s victory in 2023, but he was not ready to fight,” Sowore stated point-blank.

He explained that real opposition demands more than court cases and press statements. “If you can’t fight for something, how can you declare you won something that you can’t fight for? That was the problem. He didn’t stand up to even tell anybody that he won… If the judiciary knows that there’s war outside, they will rule according to the wish of the people.”

Sowore drew a sharp contrast with the late MKO Abiola, who he said was ready to die for his mandate in 1993. “The only reason why we followed Abiola was because Abiola was willing to die for his mandate and he did die for his mandate. Anybody who is not willing to die for his mandate is not worth voting for in any election.”

The fiery activist, who founded Sahara Reporters and is known for his uncompromising stance on governance, said he made it clear he would join the battle only if Obi himself led from the front. “If the person who claimed to win that vote is willing to lead the protest, I will go out and be part of it. But I’m not going to lead your protest for you so that you can mock me by going to a meeting with the people who are taking the mantle from you.”

NaijaChoice News reports that this outburst comes as Sowore continues his radical street activism, including the recent high-profile “One Million March” protests in Aba, Abia State, demanding the immediate release of detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, where he confronted security forces head-on.

Recall that after INEC declared Bola Tinubu winner, Peter Obi headed to court alongside Atiku Abubakar, but no sustained mass street protests followed despite millions of youths who backed the Labour Party candidate under the #Obidient movement. Sowore argued that Obi’s failure to mobilise even a fraction of his supporters to Abuja or other major cities left the judiciary without the necessary pressure to deliver a different outcome.

The statement has already sparked fierce reactions. Supporters of Peter Obi have accused Sowore of grandstanding and nursing old grudges, while others say it exposes why the opposition remains weak against the ruling APC.

Sowore also took a swipe at Obi’s eight-year tenure as Anambra governor, questioning why he did not transform the state into a Dubai-like model, and warned that associating with certain political figures undermines any claim of being a true opposition leader.

As at the time of filing this report, Peter Obi has not issued a direct response to Sowore’s claims.