Sowore Under Fire for Calling Tinubu Criminal, "You Have Crossed The Rubicon"
- Some Nigerians on the social media platform Facebook have criticised opposition figure Omoyele Sowore
- Sowore faulted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's claim of alleged defeat of corruption, a longstanding Nigerian problem
- However, Sowore's use of "criminal" in his description of President Tinubu has caused anger in some quarters
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Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering politics, election, and governance in Nigeria.
FCT, Abuja - Omoyele Sowore, human rights activist and 2023 African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, has come under fire over his latest remarks about President Bola Tinubu.
Legit.ng recalls that President Tinubu recently said his reforms have sounded the death knell on corruption in Nigeria.
Source: Twitter
Speaking to investors in Brazil on Tuesday, August 26, Tinubu said his reforms have made the Nigerian economy more competitive, boosted revenue, and strengthened the nation’s finances.
Tinubu said:
“It is necessary to emphasise here that the reforms I’ve embarked upon since I took over in Nigeria have been very impactful.
“I can beat my chest for that. It was initially painful, but today the result is blossoming. It’s getting clearer to the people. We have more money for the economy — no more corruption.
“We have the central bank governor here; you don’t have to know him before you get the foreign exchange you need.
“The speculators are out in our currency market. The door is open for business. Easy in, easy out.”
Legit.ng reports that since taking office in May 2023, Tinubu has introduced a raft of economic policies that have elicited mixed reactions.
The president unified Nigeria’s multiple foreign exchange (FX) windows to enhance forex market stability. Tinubu also ended the petrol subsidy regime, which he described as unsustainable and a stranglehold on Nigeria’s economy.
Sowore disagrees with Tinubu
Reacting to President Tinubu's claim in Brazil, Sowore, a critic of successive Nigerian governments, insisted that corruption is still a challenge in the country.
He wrote on his verified Facebook page, with an accompanying video of the president's speech in Brazil:
"This criminal actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!"
Source: Facebook
Nigerians tackle Sowore over Tinubu
While a few internet users sided with Sowore, many Nigerians took exception to Sowore's description of the president as "this criminal".
Legit.ng captured some comments below:
A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, wrote:
"You are calling an elected president of Nigeria a criminal abi? Sowore, Sowore Sowore. How many times did I call you ? Three times abi? This is unacceptable. This a slap on 250m Nigerians. You have crossed the rubicon. Withdraw this and apologise to PBAT and Nigerians. Our friend Sowore has contested to be President on two occasions and failed woefully. Sowore knows that it is not as easy as milking a cow. I find it difficult if not impossible to believe that you can go this far. Actions carry consequences ooooooo."
Lawal Semiu Leke wrote:
"If not that you are so daft, he should have gone to Brazil to say corruption is in Nigeria? Is that how to brand a country to attract foreign investors? You are complaining the country is bad but you are even contributing to her failure. Do you think USA doesn’t have her own problem? Is it not by proper PR we are seeing them as heaven on earth? How you are still allowed to be moving freely is beyond me. You should drop this brain of University Aluta and learn real politics and governance because you are so puerile, naive and irrational kid full of age."
Abiodun Adeparusi said:
"The full weight of the law supposed to be wielded on Sowore for describing the president of the federal Republic of Nigeria a "CRIMINAL"
"This is too harsh and not a human rights activism anymore but an act of criminality that needed to be investigated by authority of the Police and other security agencies."
Steve Bayode commented:
"Someone old enough to sire you is who you’re calling criminal because you’re still bitter Nigerians preferred him to you in the last election which you lost woefully to him. Omo ase iru e fun e."
Expert asks Sowore to exercise restraint
Meanwhile, Dr Sulaimon Adigun Muse, a senior lecturer in the department of political science education, Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Nigeria, in a chat with Legit.ng, said Sowore's remark is uncalled-for.
Muse, the president of the Global Academy of Political Entrepreneurship and Leadership (GAPEL), said:
"Sowore calling a sitting president"this criminal" is too far. It does not reflect the decorum expected from a civil citizen of the country. It is totally unacceptable. Can he establish the crimes President Tinubu has committed? Does he have the prerogative to label someone a criminal? I expect him to know better. He is no more a young man; he needs to caution himself"
What could make Sowore sue Tinubu
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Sowore made it clear that he would categorically reject any national award nomination from President Tinubu.
In a post via X, he stated that he would not only denounce the honour but would also take legal action for defamation if he were mistakenly included in the prestigious list.
Source: Legit.ng
