Sowore Accuses Tinubu Of Sinking Nigeria: ‘He Never Built Lagos, Now They’re Preparing The Country For Burial’
Sowore Accuses Tinubu Of Sinking Nigeria: ‘He Never Built Lagos, Now They’re Preparing The Country For Burial’
Sowore, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), slammed what he described as the “Renewed Hopelessness” Nigerians now face under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Nigerian human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has slammed the Nigerian government over the recent spread of Boko Haram attacks from Borno State to Kogi State, saying it exposes the administration’s repeated claims of winning the war against terrorism as outright falsehoods.Nigerian cultural tours
In an interview with Channels TV, Sowore said the presence of Boko Haram in Kogi—far from its original strongholds in the northeast—demonstrates that the government’s repeated assertions that it is making progress against insurgency are nothing more than propaganda designed to keep Nigerians complacent.
“If Boko Haram, which began in Borno State, has now spread to Kogi State — what does that tell you? This is a government built on lies,” he said.
“And if you allow them to continue distracting you with empty talk about coalitions, you will find yourselves in an even worse situation. That has been the story of Nigeria since the so-called return to civil rule.”Nigerian cultural tours
Recent attacks in Kogi State have been linked to Boko Haram affiliates, raising concerns about the expansion of the group’s activities into central Nigeria.
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Sowore, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), slammed what he described as the “Renewed Hopelessness” Nigerians now face under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Sowore warned that the government is pushing the nation toward doom.
WATCH: The more you “HOPE” with the Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime, the more you LOSE! – Omoyele Sowore pic.twitter.com/1cJmmdCvXH
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) June 10, 2025
He condemned a recent statement by a senior military official — believed to be either the Chief of Defence Staff or the Chief of Army Staff — who urged Nigerians to help the military combat Boko Haram.
Sowore did not mince words in his broader assessment of the Tinubu government’s performance, citing the alarming decline in the value of the naira — from ₦460/$1 when Tinubu took office in 2023 to ₦1,650/$1 in 2025 — as proof of economic mismanagement.
He also decried the rising cost of living and the deterioration of workers’ real wages. Sowore accused Nigeria’s political elites — including governors and federal officials — of exacerbating inflation by converting government allocations into dollars on the black market.Nigerian cultural tours
He further criticised the government for promoting student loans in a country where graduates face mass unemployment, while subsidising political elites with billions of naira.
The AAC leader also questioned the federal government’s much-publicised Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, saying it is being misrepresented to the public.
Sowore used the interview to distance himself from emerging political coalitions, which he described as alliances of failed politicians seeking relevance ahead of the 2027 elections.
He urged Nigerians to reject elite deception and fight for genuine democracy.
He said: “The more you hope, the more you lose — at least with this government. So what should the people do? It’s up to them: either they continue to endure this suffering or they unite and force real change.
“I believe it was the Chief of Defence Staff — or perhaps the Chief of Army Staff — who recently admitted that Nigerians are now expected to help the military defeat Boko Haram. That is an alarming statement. The army should be protecting the people, not asking them for help, because they cannot understand why Boko Haram remains strong.
“If anything, that kind of call should come from vigilantes or local security groups, not from the nation’s armed forces. Yet here we are. They promised ‘Renewed Hope,’ but what we are experiencing is renewed hopelessness.
“The minimum wage of 1975 had more value than what workers earn in 2025. And this government is led by someone skilled in political manipulation — the same person who came two years ago claiming he had built Lagos. Now he is busy destroying Nigeria.Nigerian cultural tours
“And the truth is, they never built Lagos in the first place. They manipulated the system in Lagos, controlled the flow of taxes, and used it to enrich themselves.
“We are no longer just a poor country — we are now trapped in multi-dimensional poverty. And if the government were actually making progress, I would acknowledge it — even if I disagreed with their politics. But they are not making progress. They are doing nothing.
“Worse still, they are pushing young people to take student loans — even though most of them won’t find jobs after graduation. Meanwhile, they are subsidising the lifestyles of unproductive elites to the tune of hundreds of billions of naira.
“I just mentioned N350 billion — but what is truly driving inflation is the monthly cycle of governors and elites converting their allocations into dollars. This country is not productive. We are not creating value — we are merely buying and selling forex. Governors, officials — they are all in on it. And that is the heart of the problem.”
He continued: “This is the same man who came two years ago claiming he built Lagos. Now he is ruining Nigeria. They have been manipulating the people of Lagos for years, siphoning tax revenue for personal gain.Nigerian cultural tours
“Remember what they said about Buhari — that he had been ‘prepared’ since 1978 when he served as petroleum commissioner. And what happened when he returned in 2015? He brought Nigeria to its knees.
“And now, they are preparing Nigeria for its burial. The so-called ‘experienced’ politicians always campaign on how long they’ve been in government — but the real experience Nigerians should focus on is how long these same people have been ruining the country.Nigerian cultural tours
“That is why we must keep speaking out. I say this to Nigerians: the sooner you wake up to what is happening to you, the sooner you reject it, the sooner you fight back — the better for everyone. Don’t fall for the false promises that someone new is going to be a ‘Lee Kuan Yew of Nigeria.”
According to the activist, Nigeria does not yet have “true democracy”.Nigerian cultural tours
“All we have is a transition to civilian rule, but not democracy. And right now, there is nothing to look forward to,” he said.
“Anything that will happen in the next two years is already happening now. You say I’m being a prophet of doom? I am not. You do not need to be a prophet to see where this country is headed. We are headed for disaster if we continue on this path.
“Don’t expect reforms from these governors or the federal leadership. When this administration came in, the naira was at ₦460 to the dollar. Today, it is ₦1,650.”
He said, “Workers’ salaries have also lost value — ₦15,000 then is worth more than ₦70,000 today. The so-called road projects they boast about? They claim they are building 700 kilometres, but only 30 kilometres have been completed in Ondo State.
“I even contacted Ondo State to ask for their plan — they have none. They never intended to build 700 kilometres of road.
“Only movements that truly connect with the oppressed masses — like AAC and a few others — are offering a genuine alternative. As for these elite coalitions? I want no part of them. I said it from the start: most of these coalitions are either vehicles for attention-seekers or for jobless political opportunists.
“You ask, ‘What about former vice presidents? What about Amaechi?’ Let’s be honest. Amaechi has been in power since 1999 — and now he’s openly complaining about hunger. But let’s not forget: he made this comment at a lavish birthday party in a rented hall, paying performers millions of naira per hour. This is the hypocrisy we face.
“Even if they shuffle power among themselves again, the result will be the same. They are the same people, switching parties and uniforms overnight.”
