AAC Slams Governor Alia Over Brutal Crackdown on Peaceful Protesters in Benue

AAC Slams Governor Alia Over Brutal Crackdown on Peaceful Protesters in Benue

The African Action Congress (AAC) has strongly condemned the violent suppression of peaceful protesters in Makurdi, Benue State, describing the government’s response as “state-sponsored brutality” and a “cowardly betrayal” of the people by Governor Hyacinth Alia.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Agena Robert Ande, human rights activist and Chairman of the AAC in the Federal Capital Territory, decried the violent dispersal of citizens who had gathered to demand an end to the ongoing killings in the state.

According to Ande, security forces unleashed “unrestrained violence” on the demonstrators, deploying armoured vehicles, helicopters, and tear gas to intimidate and disperse the unarmed crowd.

“This is a damning indictment of the government’s utter disregard for human life,” Ande said. “Rather than show leadership and compassion, Governor Alia chose brute force, ordering a military-style crackdown on peaceful protesters. It is a shameful, thuggish response to legitimate public outcry.”

Ande slammed Governor Alia for failing to engage with the protesters or condemn the violence they were rallying against. Instead, he accused the governor of opting for repression, further eroding public trust in his administration.

“Deploying such excessive force against unarmed citizens is nothing short of state violence,” he added. “It shows a complete lack of empathy and highlights the incompetence of a government that would rather silence its people than address their pain.”

The AAC leader linked the worsening insecurity in Benue to what he called the government’s longstanding failure to confront the root causes—particularly the repeated attacks by armed Fulani herdsmen on rural communities.

“For years, Fulani herdsmen have terrorised Benue communities while the government stood idle,” Ande said. “Governor Alia’s attempts to deflect blame are a clear sign that he lacks the courage and political will to face the real threat.”

He called on the governor to take immediate action, beginning with a public condemnation of the killings and the development of a concrete security strategy to protect lives and property.

“It’s no longer enough to issue statements after each attack,” Ande stressed. “Governor Alia must take full responsibility and coordinate with security agencies to craft a clear plan for the safety of the people.”

He also raised concerns about the suspected involvement of attackers from neighbouring Nasarawa State, urging cross-border cooperation to prevent further violence.

“Multiple victims have identified Nasarawa as the base from which some of these attackers launch their operations,” Ande said. “Governor Alia must engage with his counterparts in neighbouring states to shut down safe havens for these terrorists.”

Addressing reports of brutality during the protest, Ande condemned the use of live bullets and the manhandling of demonstrators.

“The accounts of peaceful protesters being beaten and handed over to police by government-backed thugs are deeply troubling,” he said. “This is a direct attack on the rights of citizens to express their grievances. It must not go unpunished.”

Although the exact number of arrests remains unclear, Ande reiterated that the people of Benue will not be intimidated into silence.

“Benue people are tired of empty promises and rising body counts,” he said. “They will not forget this betrayal. They will continue to demand justice, accountability, and real action from a government that has so far failed them.”

He concluded with a warning to the state government: “This crisis will not disappear through violence and denial. It will only end when those in power take responsibility and act decisively in defence of human lives.”

Nigeria hasn’t learned from 2015, only AAC offers real change — Adeyeye

Nigeria hasn’t learned from 2015, only AAC offers real change — Adeyeye

Olorunfemi Adeyeye, the National Publicity Secretary of the African Action Congress (AAC), has stated that Nigeria appears to have learned nothing from the political mistakes of 2015, warning that the country risks repeating the same cycle of leadership failure.

In a statement shared on his social media page Tuesday, Adeyeye declared that only the AAC offers a genuine alternative to the status quo, criticizing other opposition figures, particularly Peter Obi, for lacking clear ideological direction.

“Obi said he would do same things Tinubu is doing but in an organized manner,” Adeyeye wrote. “What is ‘organized manner’?”

The AAC spokesperson referenced a previous exchange with political activist Deji Adeyanju, stating, “This is what I meant when I replied Comrade Adeyanju Deji on the opposition debate.”

Adeyeye emphasized that being in an opposition party does not automatically make one part of the opposition, arguing that true opposition is defined by ideas and principles, not mere political affiliation.

“These guys are not opposing anything. Opposition is not being in another party. It’s about having an opposing idea and content,” he said.

He questioned the intent behind gaining political power without a clear ideological departure from the current system, warning against a repeat of past political cycles.

“Is the plan about grabbing power by any means, only to repeat what’s being done today? Just like APC did in 2015? That would only mean that we have not learnt anything.”

Adeyeye concluded by declaring the AAC as the only party offering real alternatives in today’s Nigeria, stating emphatically, “The AAC is the only opposition in Nigeria today!”

A Real Coalition Should Not Just Defeat Tinubu, It Should Defeat the Whole Wicked Ruling Class! – Kunle Wizeman Ajayi

A Real Coalition Should Not Just Defeat Tinubu, It Should Defeat the Whole Wicked Ruling Class! – Kunle Wizeman Ajayi

Kunle Wizeman Ajayi, former gubernatorial candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in Ondo State, has thrown his weight behind Omoyele Sowore’s recent critique of proposed political coalitions aimed solely at unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Reacting to Sowore’s assertion on Channels TV, that such alliances risk simply recycling power within the existing political elite, Wizeman emphasized that any meaningful coalition must go beyond electoral calculations focused on individual figures.

According to him, the objective should not merely be to defeat President Tinubu at the polls, but to dismantle what he described as the “entire wicked ruling class” responsible for the suffering of the Nigerian masses.

“A real coalition should not just defeat Tinubu, it should defeat the whole wicked ruling class! That’s why we need a coalition of all oppressed people!!” Ajayi declared in a strongly worded statement.

Ajayi’s remarks has again shown growing concerns among activists and radical political actors that conventional political strategies often marked by elite negotiations and power-sharing agreements fail to address the structural issues plaguing Nigeria.

He called for an alternative coalition rooted in the struggles of ordinary citizens, workers, students, and the unemployed.

A Real Coalition Should Not Just Defeat Tinubu, It Should Defeat the Whole Wicked Ruling Class! – Kunle Wizeman Ajayi

A Real Coalition Should Not Just Defeat Tinubu, It Should Defeat the Whole Wicked Ruling Class! – Kunle Wizeman Ajayi

Kunle Wizeman Ajayi, former gubernatorial candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in Ondo State, has thrown his weight behind Omoyele Sowore’s recent critique of proposed political coalitions aimed solely at unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Reacting to Sowore’s assertion on Channels TV, that such alliances risk simply recycling power within the existing political elite, Wizeman emphasized that any meaningful coalition must go beyond electoral calculations focused on individual figures.

According to him, the objective should not merely be to defeat President Tinubu at the polls, but to dismantle what he described as the “entire wicked ruling class” responsible for the suffering of the Nigerian masses.

“A real coalition should not just defeat Tinubu, it should defeat the whole wicked ruling class! That’s why we need a coalition of all oppressed people!!” Ajayi declared in a strongly worded statement.

Ajayi’s remarks has again shown growing concerns among activists and radical political actors that conventional political strategies often marked by elite negotiations and power-sharing agreements fail to address the structural issues plaguing Nigeria.

He called for an alternative coalition rooted in the struggles of ordinary citizens, workers, students, and the unemployed.

“Protests Against Sowore Is a Distraction from the Truth” — Soneye AbdulAzeez

“Protests Against Sowore Is a Distraction from the Truth” — Soneye AbdulAzeez

A protest held in Abuja targeting human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, including educationist and human rights advocate Soneye AbdulAzeez, popularly known as LAS.

The protest, which appeared to be organized by a group of individuals alleging that Sowore is engaged in the blackmail of politicians, has raised concerns about the growing trend of sponsored demonstrations aimed at discrediting outspoken activists.

Reacting to the protest in a public statement, LAS condemned the gathering, describing it as a “sponsored attempt to malign a truth-teller.” He wrote:

“So some sponsored people gathered in Abuja to protest against Sowore claiming he is blackmailing politicians. Among many names are Saraki, Iweala, Obi. Saraki himself took Sowore to court and lost because Sowore has evidence of his corruption. Obi has refused to sue and the Pandora Papers are in the public. Iweala can’t do either. Nigerians, it is left for you to choose the right side to stand by.”

The activist referenced several high-profile figures allegedly mentioned during the protest, including former Senate President Bukola Saraki, former Minister of Finance and current WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi. LAS noted that while Saraki once took legal action against Sowore, the case was unsuccessful, reportedly due to compelling evidence presented by the activist.

He also pointed to the Pandora Papers — a global investigation that exposed hidden offshore accounts and financial dealings of prominent individuals — as being in the public domain, implying that Obi and others have yet to challenge the allegations in court.

Sowore, the publisher of SaharaReporters, has long been a vocal critic of political corruption in Nigeria and has faced numerous legal battles and state-sanctioned crackdowns for his activism.

The protest and the reactions it has triggered has once again reveal the polarized political climate in Nigeria, where activists and whistleblowers often face intense pressure and coordinated campaigns aimed at undermining their credibility.

“Peter Obi’s Political Agenda Is ‘Another Corrupt Agenda in Disguise’”, Sowore

“Peter Obi’s Political Agenda Is ‘Another Corrupt Agenda in Disguise’”, Sowore

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has criticized Peter Obi’s stance on the protests against former President Goodluck Jonathan’s economic policies, describing it as “questionably dishonest” and even “outrightly DUMB.”

Sowore’s remarks, which were made in a recent statement on his social media handles, point to what he perceives as a contradiction in Obi’s approach to political protests and governance.

Sowore, an outspoken critic of Nigeria’s political leadership, raised significant concerns regarding Obi’s involvement in Jonathan’s administration and his apparent dismissal of protests against the latter’s policies. “He seems to imply that protests against Goodluck Jonathan’s economic policies were unnecessary, given his role as an ‘Economic Adviser’ in that administration. They were all supporting themselves by looting Nigeria dry, including the role of his Fidelity Bank assisting Diezani to move hard cold cash,” Sowore remarked.

The activist also questioned Obi’s current perspective on the regime of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, suggesting that if Obi believed protests were unwarranted under Jonathan, Tinubu’s handlers should adopt a similar stance. “If he believes protests are unwarranted under Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, why should Tinubu’s handlers not hold the same view? After all, they claim that their economic policies are for the good of Nigerians, even though our people are dying in droves, and they too have looted Nigeria dry in less than two years,” Sowore emphasized.

Sowore also pointed to Obi’s “Obidient” movement, which he said failed to take a stand on critical national issues, including the presidential election results and the #EndBadGovernance protests. He accused Obi and his movement of being inactive or complicit in the face of corruption, calling them “opportunists” who benefit from the struggles of others. “Notably, his Obidient movement did not protest the presidential election results, which they repeatedly claimed he won, nor did they participate in the #EndBadGovernance protests in 2024, claiming it was set up by ‘controlled opposition’,” Sowore stated.

He further criticized Obi for his silence during the fuel price hikes and his failure to oppose the Naira redesign policy, pointing out that Obi’s ally, former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele, played a crucial role in the policy. “Even with the fuel price hikes he is speaking about here, there was not a time he ever led or encouraged Nigerians to oppose it,” Sowore added.

Sowore also called out Obi for his inability to initiate any meaningful action within his movement since its inception, accusing him of using the struggles of others for personal gain without taking any substantial steps to challenge systemic injustice. “Since the establishment of his GBAJUE ‘Obidient’ movement, not once has anything been done other than inaction or gaslighting other Nigerians, especially those who rightly didn’t support his political ambition/agenda,” Sowore noted. He claimed that Obi’s movement aimed to replace a corrupt set of politicians with his own “anointed set of corrupt opportunists,” some of whom have now returned to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Drawing a parallel to the #EndSARS movement, Sowore warned that Obi, like other politicians, was hoping to benefit from the “sweat and blood of others” without lifting a finger to challenge the injustice faced by ordinary Nigerians. “Like #EndSARS, he, Peter Obi, is hoping to benefit from the sweat and blood of others without a finger raised to challenge injustice even against his own ‘Obidient’ movement members. OPPORTUNISTS!” Sowore concluded.

“Lagos Deserves Leaders Who Deliver, Not Those Who Take” – AAC Secretary Declares

“Lagos Deserves Leaders Who Deliver, Not Those Who Take” – AAC Secretary Declares

Jegede Kehinde, the Lagos State Secretary of the African Action Congress (AAC), took to his social media handle on Wednesday to criticize the political leaders who have held power in Lagos for over two decades, condemning them for poor leadership and their failure to meet the needs of the people.

He urged residents to stop supporting these politicians, whom he said have failed to provide basic services such as security, healthcare, and quality education.

“You should be angry enough to stop supporting your enemies,” Kehinde began in his passionate address. “You should be annoyed enough to stop singing praise of your slave master.”

He further admonished the support for leaders who, according to him, have failed to deliver on key responsibilities such as safety, education, and healthcare.

“You should be angry enough to stop supporting someone who couldn’t provide security, health care, sound education,” he stated. “Nothing should make you to support people that remove subsidies from every essential service you should have enjoy as a citizen.”

The AAC secretary also urged voters to break away from tribal sentiment when making political choices, advocating instead for issue-based support.

“Stop deceiving yourselves in the name of tribe. Go for persons that care about you,” he said.

Concluding his remarks, Kehinde took a direct swipe at the current political establishment in Lagos, saying: “Stop supporting a wasteful 25 years officeholders in the State.”

2027: “Those Pushing Coalition Are Secretly Backing Tinubu,” Sowore

2027: “Those Pushing Coalition Are Secretly Backing Tinubu,” Sowore

Human rights activist and former Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore has fired back at Kenneth Okonkwo over his recent comments advocating for a political coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.

Okonkwo, in a statement published on Rueben Abati’s blog, claimed that anyone opposed to forming a coalition is an agent of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a sharp response, Sowore dismissed the coalition talk as a deceptive strategy, accusing Okonkwo and others of pretending to fight Tinubu while quietly working in his interest.

According to Sowore, many of the same figures pushing for unity among opposition parties are former members of the APC or have since aligned with the ruling party, making their intentions highly questionable, Sowore stated:

“They have resumed their gimmicks, meanwhile they are the ones @OfficialAPCNg is utilizing to eradicate genuine opposition to @officialABAT. @RealKenOkonkwo originated from @OfficialAPCNg, joined NgLabour party, and departed suddenly. Many of them, elected NgLabour personnel, joined OfficialAPCNg, not even those previously from OfficialPDPNig returned to their former allegiance. They are forming a spurious coalition, feigning interest in ousting a man they are all clandestinely supporting.”

INEC LAGOS ENGAGING MC OLUOMO? WHAT A JOKE TAKEN TOO FAR!

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We are shocked that the Lagos State chapter of INEC have decided to throw caution into the whirlwinds by concluding to contract the distribution of sensitive elections materials to the Lagos State Parks Management led by Musiliu Akinsanya AKA MC Oluomo.

The African Action Congress (AAC) strongly believe this is a joke taken too far. For obvious reasons that the Park Management and MC Oluomo are open members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and particularly the failed ruling party’s presidential candidate; Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

We want to ask Professor Mahmood Yakubu whether Mr. Olusegun Agbaje, the INEC Resident Commissioner in Lagos is still a staff of INEC or a usurper of it’s avowed directives. We recall that Prof Yakubu promised at the infamous Chatham House conference that INEC will do everything within it’s powers to make sure the elections is not rigged. So, how come a notorious thug and imposed ruler of the Motor Parks is now the one to handle the logistics of the February 25th Elections?

Is Professor Yakubu and Mr Olusegun Agbaje of INEC telling Lagosians that we should not bother to vote anymore?
Or is Mr Agbaje not aware that Tinubu openly confessed how the 2015 Elections in Lagos were rigged in favour of current Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu? The video is in the public!

What MC Oluomo and the neo-fascist Parks Management would do is to send ballot materials to only APC strongholds, and disenfranchise other Lagosians. Where the votes are against Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu; they would simply do “Korope”; as Tinubu noted in the leaked rigging video, to sort of ballot boxes where they have lost. And only deliver ballot boxes that favour APC to the collation center.

We want to warn INEC not to burn this elections. AAC will mobilize Nigerians to reject all impunity. We will resist all forms of rigging and stand with Lagosians and Nigerians in their plans to destroy the greedy self-proclaimed landlords of Lagos.

With the current pains and hardships in fuel crises, Naira scarcity, and high cost of living, the APC is yet ashamed of the mess they have put all Nigerians. They believe they can march our heads in the mud and also openly and brazenly rig elections.

The masses will rise very soon to massively protest the madness economic hardships imposed by Buhari and Emefiele, while they will also jettison the fake messiahs in Labour Party who are now openly and shamelessly supporting the wickedness of the CBN, banks, oil Marketers, and the Buhari government. AAC has been clear from the beginning that APC/PDP/LP/NNPP are all four fingers of the leprous hands of the fascist and failed primitive and barbaric capitalist system being forcefully piloted by Buhari.

We therefore give Mr Olusegun Agbaje, and Professor Mahmood Yakubu 48 hours to reverse all the plans to allow the APC through MC Oluomo to have unfettered access to the sensitive elections materials, with serious apologies.

We also call on INEC to immediately transfer Mr Olusegun Agbaje away from Lagos. Most political parties, especially the AAC cannot trust Mr Agbaje to lead the Lagos elections free and fair.

We want to finally urge Lagosians to be ready for #IrapadaEko, where a greenhorn political party that stands with Lagosians under the rains and in the sun for the past four years, would be voted in. Akeem Olayiwola and Ben Eze are disciplined members of the only socialist party on the ballot: the African Action Congress (AAC) whose presidential candidate is Comrade Omoyele Sowore.

AAC has been fighting alongside Lagosians in all of their travails in the hands of police, land grabbers, Iyalojas, LASTMA, and the ruinous greedy government at Alausa. A vote for AAC is a vote for #RevolutionNow!

Towolawi Jamiu,
Spokesperson,
AAC Lagos State Campaign Council.

Our Goal In The AAC Is To Phase Out Major Political Parties Creating Environmental Problems: Sowore

The presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC) in the presidential debates with his opponents on climate change and environmental concerns has said if people properly live their lifestyles, no harm would be done to the environment.

The AAC flagbearer, Omoyele Sowore while fielding questions on environmental issues has said their goal in AAC party is to also challenge the people creating environmental problems in this course of addressing the problems..

“Our goal in our party, the African Action Congress is not only to address environmental problems but also to phase out the major political parties in Nigeria that are creating environmental problems particularly the APC and PDP and their overflow party.

He urged the students to find it in their hearts to make sure to elect the right people to govern the country, people who are versatile and can interact at least with students.

He said most people think when issues of environments are being discussed, the discussion revolves around environmental sanitation, houses or growing of foods alone. Whereas the environment determines the climate changes and vice versa.

“Our lifestyles, if properly done, cannot harm the environment.
When Ken Saro Wiwa stood up and challenged the government and the international companies, it came to most people’s awareness that the Niger Delta region is not only being destroyed but the activities of the oil drilling companies are also destroying the ozone layer above our heads.

He mentioned that Nigeria has had a major flood that has killed people and the problems are being left unnoticed and unaddressed.

Sowore, who is the only geographer among the presidential candidates, said there is a comprehensive way in dealing with environmental crises affecting the people.

He said one of the ways is to generate sustainable living in the country and it starts with generating electricity with all other sources that can be provided to achieve that. “We are going to jettison the use of fossil fuel in this country.

He also stated that oil resources are the biggest source of crime in the world. The biggest criminals are those who drill oil because they don’t only kill people, they also kill the environment.

He said he will as the president of nigeria ensure a law that will punish environmental pollutants.