Activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has explained why he declined an invitation to attend an opposition summit held in Ibadan, Oyo State, saying Nigerians deserve a credible alternative rather than what he described as a recycling of failed political actors.

In a post on X on Sunday, Sowore dismissed the gathering as lacking substance, arguing that many of those involved had previously contributed to Nigeria’s challenges.

“I was invited to attend the so-called ‘Opposition Summit’ in Ibadan, but I declined,” he wrote.

“There is no need to pretend that the same men (and a few women) who held Nigeria to ransom for years, presiding over stagnation, corruption, and systemic decay, can suddenly reinvent themselves as champions of progress or defenders of the people. Not all Nigerians are suffering from amnesia.”

He stated that his party, the African Action Congress, would not associate with what he termed a deceptive political arrangement.

“For the avoidance of doubt, our revolutionary party, the African Action Congress, will not be part of any charade designed to recycle failed political actors under the guise of ‘opposition,’” he said.

Sowore maintained that his focus remains on building what he described as a people-driven movement rooted in accountability and integrity.

“Instead, we are committed to presenting a formidable, people-driven alternative, one rooted in integrity, accountability, and genuine transformation,” he added.

He further criticised major political parties across the spectrum, accusing them of representing the same political culture.

“We will mobilise Nigerians across the country to rally behind a credible vision that rejects the decadence and deception represented by both the All Progressives Congress and their opportunistic counterparts in ADC, PDP, Labour Party and elsewhere,” he said.

“Nigeria does not need a rearrangement of the same broken pieces, it needs a complete break from the past.”

The summit, held at the Oyo State Government House in Ibadan, brought together opposition figures across parties, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who chaired the meeting, and Governor Seyi Makinde, who hosted.

Also in attendance were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, among other political leaders.

Organisers said the summit, themed “That We May Work Together for a United Opposition to Sustain Our Democracy,” was aimed at strengthening coordination among opposition parties in response to Nigeria’s socio-economic and security challenges, as well as charting a common front ahead of future elections. (Sunday PUNCH)

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