Sowore Slammed Over Comments on Tinubu’s Brazil Visit
- A coalition of civil society groups has condemned activist Omoyele Sowore for what it called a derogatory attack on President Bola Tinubu
- The coalition, led by IPSAW, IIAP and ACSO, accused Sowore of dragging Nigeria’s image before global investors with his comments on corruption
- They urged authorities to take punitive action against him while calling on youths to embrace constructive nation-building
A coalition of civil society groups has criticised rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, over his recent remarks on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to Brazil.
The coalition, made up of Independent Public Service and Accountability Watch (IPSAW), Initiative for Integrity, Accountability and Probity (IIAP), and Allied Civil Society Organisations (ACSO), addressed the matter at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.
Source: Twitter
Group condemns Sowore over 'undignifying comments'
Speaking on behalf of the groups, Comrade Adeniran Taiwo Olugbenga said Sowore’s recent post on X, formerly known as Twitter, amounted to an attack on Nigeria’s reputation.
He accused the activist of crossing the line between civic criticism and deliberate disparagement of the country before the international community.
Sowore had, on August 26, reacted to Tinubu’s remarks in Brazil with a post that read:
“This criminal actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”
The coalition argued that such comments were not only directed at the president but also at the collective dignity of Nigerians.
“While President Tinubu pitched Nigeria’s progress to global investors in Brazil, Sowore dragged our flag through the mud with insults. That’s not courage — it’s cowardice dressed as defiance. Criticism builds nations; insults break them. Slandering Nigeria before the world is treachery, not leadership,” the statement read.
Source: Twitter
Olugbenga described the remarks as reckless and unbecoming of a figure who once sought to lead the nation.
He maintained that freedom of speech should not be an excuse to discredit the country abroad, warning that unchecked verbal attacks could damage Nigeria’s standing among potential partners and investors.
Group calls for sanctions on controversial activist
The coalition urged relevant authorities to consider punitive measures, stressing that Sowore’s outburst amounted to hate speech.
“Enough is enough. Nigeria belongs to 250 million of us who toil, bleed, and pray to keep her standing. We deserve builders, not blusterers; reformers, not rabble-rousers,” the group said.
They further called on young Nigerians to channel their energy into constructive dialogue and nation-building efforts rather than what they termed “toxic activism.” According to them, the country needs sober voices of reform rather than divisive rhetoric.
“Today, we demand decisive state action — not to gag dissent, but to safeguard its integrity; not to mute voices, but to shield Nigeria from hate speech. The era of noise is over. The time for nation-building is now,” the coalition added.
Sowore accuses police officer of stealing AI eyeglasses
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore had accused a Nigerian police officer of stealing his AI Ray-Ban glasses during a major protest held on Monday at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
The protest, led by Sowore alongside other activists and retired police officers, sought to draw attention to the plight of pensioners and demand the removal of retired officers from the contributory pension scheme.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
