Sowore: Tinubu has failed us as he berates the president for failing in all fronts
In a continued onslaught against the president for his maladministration, Sowore has slammed the present administration for his failure.
Nigerian human right activist and founder, Sahara Reporters−an online media outlet, Omoyele Sowore, has slammed Tinubu’s administration for choosing secrecy and authoritarianism, while the populace and activists continue to fight publicly for justice and good governance.
These statements were made by Sowore during a live interview on “KEBENKO”−a radio programme chaired by Oluwaseyi Akinsola on Crown FM 101.5, Ile-Ife, Osun State.
“The Nigerian government prefers to operate in darkness while we fight in the light,” Sowore said.
“We are trying to educate citizens about their rights, but the government makes things difficult and responds with threats and violence.”
The former presidential candidate described how democratic governments in other climes reacts to public evaluation when questions about broken campaign promises and mismanagement of funds are asked.
“In places like America, when citizens ask how their government spends public resources, leaders appear on TV and radio to explain. But in Nigeria, if politicians go on air, it’s mostly to insult their fellow citizens or act like they are being forced to lead,” he said. Tinubu Has Failed Us – Sowore
“Instead of addressing questions, they deploy police or soldiers to disrupt peaceful assemblies. If they don’t use security forces, they send thugs to attack people.”
“We are not new to this. We’ve been fighting for good governance for over three decades, since the military junta, before Nigeria transitioned to democracy. The people in power today are ‘Ojelu’ (Kleptocrats), not ‘Oselu’ (true politicians),” he continued.
Sowore gave explanations on Nigeria’s democracy, claiming its relevance has been lost.
“Democracy has now become a threat to the people it was meant to empower. The democracy we fought for was meant to serve the people, not a democracy of ‘bi o ba pa, bi o ba bulese’ (a democracy of violence and suppression).”
Reacting to a question of if military rule is better-suited to Nigeria than democracy, he said: “They can’t be compared. We fought against military regimes because we wanted good governance.
“But looking at where we are now, one wonders if this democracy hasn’t become a misplaced priority. Those of us who fought for it now suffer the most.”
He remembered his early years as a student activist
“When we were at the university, we fought against the military. If we were arrested and the court freed us, we were released. We followed Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Femi Falana, and others who mentored us in fighting for citizens’ rights,” he recounted.
He disclosed that he continued to face harassment by Nigerian government for his activism.
“As I speak, the Nigerian government has seized my passport since February. They’ve refused to return it. They play a ‘hanky-panky’ game to frustrate people and strip citizens of their rights,” he said.
He said the growing hardship under democracy has led many to question if it was worth fighting for, noting that “people are suffering more now than ever”.
“Some are beginning to ask whether democracy is the right path. But we tell them that the fight isn’t enough if you keep living in servitude.”
Speaking during an interview on the “Not Too Young to Run” law enacted in 2019 to enhance youth participation in politics, Sowore disclosed that the initiative has ceased to exist due to a lack of support.
“They passed the bill, but didn’t provide a platform for the youth to succeed. In other parts of the world, young people don’t wait—they fight for power.
“Here, they are denied jobs and opportunities while the political class enriches itself and their children,” he said.
“What the Nigerian government is doing is arming youth with cutlasses and knives, while they use the resources to build a future for their own families.”
The Media expert minced no word lambasting the present government of President Bola Tinubu, stating that the “government has failed on all fronts: security, infrastructure, economy, society, and politics”.
He also antagonised the administration’s Student Loan Scheme, noting it would sink students into long-term debt with no solution to the root problems.
He said, “It’s a trap. Even in America, many people spend their lives repaying student loans.
“Here, while students are told to take loans, senators earn N30 million a month. Those who enjoyed free education now tell poor students to go into debt.
“Did any of them take loans to go to school? I didn’t. I had free education. Now those who benefited from public education are oppressing others with debt.”
Citing Nigeria’s past reputations in healthcare, Sowore said: “There was a time when Saudi royals came to Ibadan for medical treatment.
“Now our hospitals are in a state of comatose, deterioration and dilapidation. Anyone saying there’s free treatment and drugs in Nigerian hospitals needs to be questioned.”
Shedding brighter light on his presidential aspiration, he said: “When I ran for president, people asked what experience I had.
“I told them: stealing public money is not experience, sending people to kill is not experience. I don’t have that kind of experience.
“But I have knowledge, education, and exposure to govern.”
Sowore highlighted unemployment as the major cause of insecurity in Nigeria.
“Unemployment is the biggest driver of insecurity. The devil is employing the youth without jobs.”
He stressed that only leaders with great visions can transform the country.
“People with no ideas run this country, while those with ideas are labelled critics. If we want Nigeria to be great, we must reclaim it from those who lead without a single constructive thought,” he said.
Tinubu Has Failed Us – Sowore