2027 presidential candidate and pro-democracy activist, Omoyele Sowore, has joined protesters in New York, United States, in a demonstration calling for an end to the war in Gaza and expressing solidarity with Palestinians.

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Sowore, who shared a video of himself participating in the protest, said the demonstration was aimed at demanding justice for Palestinians and an end to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

“Yes, today in New York, I joined the Free Palestine protest. No justice, no peace! Free Palestine!

“I condemn the genocide being committed by the state of Israel in Gaza.

“I joined to make it clear that Nigerians stand for justice and human rights for Palestinians,” he said.

The protest came amid renewed demonstrations in New York over the Gaza conflict, with hundreds of protesters gathering around the United Nations as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in the city. Jewish Voice for Peace said hundreds of Jewish, Palestinian, Iranian and Lebanese New Yorkers participated in a mass anti-war demonstration on September 24, calling for an end to US support for Israel and the war in Gaza.

Sowore, who is the publisher of Sahara Reporters, has for decades been associated with street protests and activism in Nigeria.

His activism dates back to his university years, when he participated in student protests at the University of Lagos and was subsequently expelled from the institution, according to accounts he gave in a 2026 interview. He has also described repeated arrests and confrontations with successive governments over his activism.

He became particularly prominent nationally through the #RevolutionNow protests launched in 2019, a movement that called for political and economic reforms and greater accountability from government. His activism has repeatedly brought him into conflict with security agencies. In August 2019, he was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) over his involvement in the planned protests and was subsequently charged with offences including treason, cybercrime and money laundering. Human Rights Watch described him at the time as a pro-democracy activist and former presidential candidate and called for his release.

Sowore has continued to participate in protests and campaigns on political, economic and human rights issues. In August 2026, he and members of the #TakeItBack Movement participated in demonstrations in Lagos, Abuja and other parts of Nigeria over economic hardship, insecurity, inflation and what the organisers described as political repression.

The latest Gaza war is part of a much longer and unresolved Israeli-Palestinian conflict dating back decades.

The United Nations proposed the partition of British-ruled Palestine into separate Arab and Jewish states in 1947. Israel declared independence in 1948, followed by war involving neighbouring Arab states. The conflict resulted in the displacement of more than half of the Palestinian Arab population, according to the United Nations.

Another major turning point came with the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, when Israel occupied the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The status of those territories, Palestinian statehood, Israeli settlements, Jerusalem, refugees and security arrangements have remained among the central issues in the conflict.

The current phase of the conflict intensified dramatically on October 7, 2023, when Hamas and other armed groups from Gaza attacked communities in southern Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and abducting 251 others, according to a United Nations report.

Israel subsequently launched a large-scale military campaign in Gaza, involving air, land and sea operations.

The UN has reported tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths, extensive destruction of civilian infrastructure and repeated displacement of most of Gaza’s population.

The war has generated widespread international debate, with governments, human rights organisations and international institutions differing over issues including the conduct of Israel’s military operations, Hamas’ attacks and hostage-taking, the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the legal characterisation of Israel’s actions.

The International Court of Justice has been considering a case brought by South Africa alleging that Israel’s actions in Gaza violate the Genocide Convention, while Israel has rejected the allegation. The broader conflict has also continued to generate protests across major cities in Europe, North America and other parts of the world. ( Tribune)