Precious Nwonu, Enugu
The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, and the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, have engaged in a war of words following the opposition party’s request to hold its presidential campaign council inauguration at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The disagreement began after Basiru described Sowore as a comedian and skit maker, questioning his political relevance and electoral performance.
The AAC had written to President Bola Tinubu on October 21, 2026, seeking approval to inaugurate its presidential campaign council at the Presidential Villa on November 11.
The letter, signed by the party’s National Secretary, Oshiokhai Ikpeminioghena, also requested food, drinks and other logistical support for participants at the proposed event.
Reacting to the request during an appearance on Channels Television’s *Politics Today* on Wednesday, Basiru questioned Sowore’s political standing and challenged him to demonstrate electoral strength at the state level.
The APC chieftain also cited the AAC’s performance in the 2023 presidential election, arguing that the party had failed to establish a significant electoral presence.
Basiru, however, acknowledged his longstanding relationship with Sowore, recalling their involvement in student activism during the struggle against military rule in the 1990s.
Sowore responded in a post on his X account later that evening, recalling their shared history and accusing the APC secretary of abandoning the ideals they once championed.
To support his account, the activist shared a photograph he said was taken in 1998, when he led the Congress of Progressive Youths (COPY), a group involved in the campaign against military dictatorship.
Sowore said the photograph reflected a period when both men were involved in the struggle for democratic governance and civil liberties.
He also challenged Basiru’s use of the 2023 presidential election results to dismiss his political relevance, describing the election as deeply flawed and disputing the suggestion that opposition candidates should be ashamed of their performance.
The AAC candidate further recalled assisting Basiru and Kunle Adegoke, popularly known as K-Rad, who is now a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, in their educational pursuits after Basiru’s difficulties at the University of Ilorin in 1992.
According to Sowore, both men subsequently completed their legal education and built professional careers.
He argued that the struggle for democracy, justice and human rights should not be reduced to entertainment, accusing Basiru of ridiculing the same activism that helped shape his political and personal development.
Sowore also criticised what he described as a shift in Basiru’s principles since joining the ruling party, suggesting that political office had influenced his attitude towards their shared past.
He maintained that political positions were temporary and that the principles of freedom and democratic accountability remained relevant regardless of who occupied public office.
The exchange has drawn attention to the AAC’s request to hold its campaign council inauguration at the Presidential Villa, although the request and the proposed logistical support do not, by themselves, establish that approval has been granted.