Peter Obi’s Camp Pressured Me To Join LP After 2023 Polls, Tried Blackmail In 2026; Otti, Makinde Are “Mediocre” –Sowore

Peter Obi’s Camp Pressured Me To Join LP After 2023 Polls, Tried Blackmail In 2026; Otti, Makinde Are “Mediocre” –Sowore

According to him, the same individuals who had earlier condemned Nigeria’s political system as corrupt were now attempting to pressure him into joining it.

Former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has condemned Nigeria’s political class, accusing them of attempting to coerce him into what he described as “structures of criminality” within multiple political parties.

 

Speaking during an interview on Podium Radio Show on 32FM Ibadan on Saturday, Sowore alleged that associates of Peter Obi approached him after the 2023 elections, urging him to align with their political structure under the Labour Party.

 

According to him, the same individuals who had earlier condemned Nigeria’s political system as corrupt were now attempting to pressure him into joining it.

 

“They told us in 2023 that these people are structures of criminality,” Sowore said. “And you come and blackmail me in 2026 that I should follow you to go and join the structures of criminality you pointed out. What do you think I should do?”

 

He rejected the suggestion outright, insisting that he would not compromise his principles.

 

“I should keep quiet and follow you to join another structure of criminality? If I joined you in Labour Party, you would now drag me again to ADC,” he added, referring to the African Democratic Congress.

 

Sowore further alleged that some politicians, dissatisfied with developments in the ADC, are now shifting allegiance again, this time towards the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), particularly in Kano.

 

“And now that ADC doesn’t look good for some of them, they are now going to Kano NNPP. So how many parties do you want Sowore to join in his lifetime?” he asked.

 

Defending his consistent criticism of politicians across party lines, Sowore dismissed claims that he portrays himself as morally superior or unwilling to compromise.

 

“You may not be a saint, but if you have not participated in armed robbery, and you say that you don’t want to be in the same party as armed robbers, why should anybody question that?” he said.

 

He accused critics of dishonesty, arguing that Nigeria’s core problem lies with citizens who reject truth and continue to support corrupt leaders.

 

“You have somebody young, vibrant in your midst who says we can change the trajectory of governance… you reject his advice and choose those who made it impossible for you to go to school. Then the problem is you,” he stated.

Responding to questions about his constant criticism of political actors, Sowore said Nigeria cannot expect salvation from “angels.”

“Angels will not fall from heaven. We have an unsustainable bogey called government. We have political parties, characters and operators who have looted your country,” he said.

 

He maintained that his refusal to align with mainstream political actors stems from a consistent record of integrity.

 

“Did I collect contracts from them that I didn’t implement? Did you see me involved in anything that has ever circumvented your progress?” he queried.

 

Sowore also took aim at several Nigerian governors, delivering a harsh assessment of their performance.

 

Without mincing words, he declared that the performance of some state leaders falls far below acceptable standards, even when compared to local government officials in other African countries.

 

“The performances of the likes of Alex Otti are not acceptable for a councillor in Ghana. Don’t mention the U.S. or Europe,” he said.

 

He extended the criticism to Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State, saying, “When they were hyping him, I came to Ibadan and told the people that this guy is not performing; this is mediocrity.”

 

He argued that Nigerians have normalised poor governance and now celebrate leaders for performing basic duties.

 

“They will be praising a governor who is paying salary. Is he paying from his own pocket? If you work, are you not supposed to get paid?” he asked.

 

“A governor who says he cleared pension; if somebody worked for 35 years, is he not entitled to pension? A governor who built a highway at 10 times the cost, are you not entitled to roads?”

 

Recounting a recent visit to Aba in Abia State, Sowore described how he openly criticised Governor Alex Otti, a former associate who once wrote critically about governance on SaharaReporters.

 

“I used to publish his articles. He would wake me up at 4 a.m. to publish them, condemning all governors,” Sowore revealed.

 

He claimed he had warned the individual that he would hold him accountable if he ever assumed office and failed to meet those standards.

 

“I told him, if you become governor and you are mediocre, I will come after you,” Sowore said.

 

During his visit to the Ariaria Market in Aba, he said he was unimpressed with the level of development.

 

“I didn’t see anything spectacular in Aba. And I said this Otti that everybody is hyping is not what he said he is,” he stated.

 

Sowore described the backlash against his comments as politically motivated, especially after he received a warm reception from traders.

 

“When I got to Ariaria Market, people were shouting ‘Sowore has come.’ That was what upset them; they thought nobody knew me,” he said.

 

The activist further accused the Abia State government of mobilising influencers to defend its record following his criticism.

 

“After the controversy started, Otti began mobilising influencers. They are paying them,” he alleged.

 

He insisted that no amount of propaganda would shield public officials from accountability.

 

“No matter the hype, you are going to account for what you told the people you would do,” he said.

 

Sowore emphasised that his criticisms are rooted in holding leaders to their own promises and publicly stated standards.

 

“What I am holding him to is what he used to write on SaharaReporters. Those are the standards, and I am not going to compromise on standards,” he added.

 

However, Sowore lamented what he described as a lack of understanding of governance among Nigerians.

 

“Maybe when people don’t understand governance, they don’t know what they are entitled to,” he said.

 

He painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s leadership, arguing that in more functional societies, many Nigerian leaders would not be able to walk freely based on their performance.

 

“It may never happen that Nigerians see the other part of the world and understand governance. Otherwise, no governor in Nigeria would be able to walk on the streets based on what they claim is their performance,” he said.

 

Sowore reiterated his stance that he would remain independent of what he repeatedly called corrupt political structures, insisting that Nigeria’s liberation depends on rejecting compromised systems rather than recycling them across different party platforms.