AAC Reaffirms Sowore as 2027 Flagbearer, Decries Bench Warrant as Political Intimidation

The African Action Congress (AAC) has officially reaffirmed human rights activist Omoyele Sowore as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections. The declaration came via a joint communiqué issued on Friday following an emergency meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee, political candidates, and the leadership of the Take It Back Movement.

The meeting was called in response to a bench warrant issued by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which revoked Sowore’s bail after he failed to appear for his scheduled court hearing. Sowore is currently facing prosecution over social media posts that allegedly made false and critical claims against President Bola Tinubu.

The AAC has strongly condemned the arrest order, characterizing it as part of a wider administrative and legal campaign designed to suppress opposition voices, activists, and journalists. The party argued that the judicial action reflects an environment where political dissent is increasingly treated as a security liability, warning that such measures threaten the core foundations of the country’s democracy.

In response to these developments, the party leadership has instructed all national structures to begin active preparations for nationwide political rallies, mass meetings, and public protests. The AAC also announced plans to scale up the distribution of campaign materials and deepen strategic alliances with labor unions, student organizations, and civil society groups ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.

The communiqué emphasized that ongoing socio-economic challenges including economic hardship, high unemployment, and widespread insecurity remain the primary drivers of public demands for political change.

The party maintained that legal pressures will not deter its full participation in the upcoming election, calling on citizens and civic organizations to remain vigilant in defending constitutional freedoms and the right to political participation.