For decades, Omoyele Sowore has stood as a beacon of resistance in Nigeria. From his earliest days as a student activist to his present-day defiance, Sowore has never wavered in his fight for the Nigerian people. He has never been seduced by power; he has never cozied up to government figures; he has remained steadfast, speaking truth to every regime.
Sowore's activism began in the crucible of military rule. As Student Union President at the University of Lagos from 1992 to 1994, he spearheaded protests against corruption and the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election. In 1992, he led 2,000 students in a protest against corrupt leaders, an action that saw police open fire and kill seven of his fellow students. Sowore was arrested but refused to back down. This fearless stance against oppression led to multiple arrests and confrontations with the authorities, but he remained committed to advocating for democracy and human rights.
In 2006, Sowore launched Sahara Reporters, an independent online news platform that would permanently alter Nigeria’s media landscape. Built without the backing of political godfathers or wealthy sponsors, it quickly evolved into a formidable force that challenged entrenched power structures across Nigeria. The platform became a lifeline for truth, exposing corruption, human rights violations, and government misconduct at the highest levels. Over the past two decades, Sahara Reporters has faced repeated legal battles, threats, harassment, and political pressure, but has remained a powerful voice for accountability and transparency.
During the tenure of President Goodluck Jonathan, Nigerians suffered under the weight of widespread hardship—economic stagnation, insecurity, and poor governance. Sowore, with his platform Sahara Reporters, became a lifeline for truth. He mobilized the people, galvanizing protests, and demanding change, helping to push Jonathan out of office. But Sowore’s fight did not end there.
When Muhammadu Buhari assumed power, Nigerians hoped for a new dawn. Yet as Buhari drifted from promises, Sowore was once again on the front lines. In 2019, he initiated the #RevolutionNow movement, a nationwide protest demanding political and economic transformation. The government responded with brute force: Sowore was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) on August 2, 2019, just days before the protest was to take place. He was charged with treasonable felony and money laundering. He was detained for 125 days, and the DSS serially defied court orders for his release. Amnesty International declared him a prisoner of conscience, stating he had faced arbitrary detention and unfair trials solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression.
When the #EndSARS protests erupted in October 2020, Sowore was once again on the front lines, mobilizing and amplifying the voices of Nigerian youth demanding an end to police brutality. His relentless activism helped galvanize a generation and forced the government into a corner.
Sowore also channelled his activism into political action. He founded the African Action Congress (AAC) in 2018 and ran as its presidential candidate in the 2019 and 2023 Nigerian general elections, focusing on anti-corruption policies, youth empowerment, and systemic reforms. His "Our Mumu Don Do" slogan became a rallying cry for millions of frustrated Nigerians.
Now, under President Bola Tinubu, as Nigerians face a new wave of disenchantment, Sowore has not relented. He continues to confront Tinubu’s government, exposing misdeeds and standing as a bulwark against tyranny. The government has responded with fresh charges: in September 2025, the DSS sought his arrest over social media posts referring to Tinubu as "a criminal". He continues to face cybercrime charges, with Amnesty International calling the prosecution part of an "escalating crackdown on human rights in Nigeria".
Today, Sowore is under a new and vicious attack. The recent actions of the now-expired Inspector General of Police, supported by VeryDarkMan (VDM) forces, aim to tarnish his reputation. VDM has been sponsored by the APC-led government to paint him as a villain, a blackmailer, an enemy of the people. A Sahara Reporters publication alleged that VDM held a secret meeting with the Inspector-General of Police to discuss how to "deal" with Sowore. In response, VDM issued an ultimatum, demanding proof and threatening to shut down the news platform. Sowore has clarified that he did not personally make the allegation but that the report was published by Sahara Reporters. Yet, the government and its agents are using this controversy to target and silence him.
But Nigerians must see this for what it is: a desperate attempt by an oppressive regime to silence their most fearless advocate. Sowore is not a tool of division; he is a tool of liberation. He is the people's shield against tyranny.
It is time for Nigeria to stand by Sowore and speak against the evil manipulations of Abuja's power brokers. It is time to remember that his fight is our fight. And it is time we see the dark machinations of those who use the police to crush dissent.
Sowore is not the enemy... he is our last hope.
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