2027: We Will Force the Democratic Space Open, Says Sowore

Omoyele Sowore, former presidential candidate and leader of the African Action Congress (AAC), has declared that his party is committed to fundamentally reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape, vowing to “force the democratic space open” ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Sowore made the remarks on Wednesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s morning programme, where he discussed the nation’s political climate and what he described as the urgent need for systemic change.

Responding to questions about the AAC’s electoral prospects, Sowore rejected the notion that Nigerians are complacent about their political conditions. He argued that the country’s citizens have a deep-seated history of resisting imperialism and external control.

“It’s because Nigerians haven’t had the opportunity to change their political conditions,” Sowore stated. He pointed to various regional movements as evidence of this resistance, citing agitation in the Niger Delta against oil companies, protests in the North against foreign intervention, and cultural assertions in the Southwest.

“Contrary to claims that the country is complacent about systemic injustices, resistance to perceived exploitation and domination is deeply rooted in Nigerian society,” he added.

The activist and politician was critical of the current electoral system, alleging a “culture of selection” over genuine democratic participation. He argued that until the process is fixed, discussions about winning elections are premature.

“For us to discuss winning elections, we must first and foremost have elections first,” Sowore said, criticizing what he described as the widespread manipulation of results.

Sowore clarified that the AAC’s primary objective is not merely to secure political seats under the existing structure. He emphasized the party’s ideological commitment to revolutionary change, drawing a historical parallel to liberation movements like South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC).

“Our position is that we will force the democratic space open whether they like it or not in a revolutionary way,” he declared. “We have been around since 2018 as a political party, just like the ANC has been around since, I think, 1918 and then went on to win elections in 1994.”

While not ruling out electoral victory for his party, Sowore insisted that a fundamental transformation of the democratic process is a prerequisite for any meaningful political change in Nigeria.