Omoyele Sowore

By Saifullahi Attahir

There was a time when most individuals engaged in either campus or labour association politics harboured the ambition of moving into mainstream politics. But years later, only a few achieved this dream. What went wrong? What is the difference between the two forms of politics, and why does success in one not guarantee success in the other?

Trade unions like the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG), Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the umbrella Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), and hundreds of others are examples of trade unions that have a form of politics almost similar to students’ unionism. They address the welfare of their members and are often in constant confrontation with the ‘government’.

Trade unionism and students’ unionism share similar characteristics and differ entirely from mainstream politics — the partisan politics of electing Chairmen, Governors, and Senators. Unionism involves a group of people sharing similar ideologies, mostly young, and is mistakenly believed to necessarily be led by vibrant, idealistic, talkative, and radical individuals.

Of course, a handful of trade union leaders were lucky enough to do well in mainstream politics. Examples include Senator Ibrahim Shekarau (former National President of Secondary School Principals), Senator Adams Oshiomhole (former NLC Chairman), Dr Chris Ngige, Senator Shehu Sani, Senator Dayo Faduyile (former NMA Chairman), and a few more.

But those “born comrades” in mainstream politics are very few compared to the hundreds of politicians who were once averse to joining even school politics but are now full-blown politicians in Nigeria. Ironically, many of those occupying seats in Nigeria are accidental politicians: either a retired civil servant, a retired Army General, a tired oil marketer, a former banker, a university lecturer, or a classroom teacher with no apparent political ambition, only to be dragged in by either their constituency or by influential people in their region. That’s the sheer power of fate!

One of the factors I have curiously come to realise as a roadblock is the inherent attitude in those ‘comrades’ — rebellion, radicalism, idealism, and hot-headedness — that makes it difficult for them to conform with their people; hence, they cannot be easily entrusted to lead others outside campuses. Most of them have fire and fury in their bones, and are men of stone, not easily bent or manipulated.

Most unionists are anti-business, and also suffer from identity problems when it comes to street politics. 

There is also the problem of funding. Party politics rewards money and godfatherism with little regard for grassroots mobilisation.

Some are unfortunately consumed by bitterness. For them, surrender was an unforgivable act. Of course, that does not apply to all. But it is obvious that even those comrades who accidentally find themselves in political seats do not endure long. They are either in constant fight with their colleagues — Shehu Sani, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Nasir El-Rufai, Ali Ndume, Dino Melaye, etc. — or always prefer to rebel — Sowore, Lukman Salihu, Naja’atu Mohammed.

Negotiation is a key tool for success in mainstream politics, especially when dealing with people who have different ideologies and perspectives. Unfortunately, unionists are trained to strike and rebel.

Some have even been tried as leaders but failed. The story of Tai Solarin is an example. He constantly criticised President Ibrahim Babangida. It was said that IBB cunningly entrusted the newly established People’s Bank to Tai Solarin as Chairman, only for the scheme to fail a few years later.

Success in mainstream politics is complex and multifactorial, and carries a good chunk of luck and right timing. It is not purely sagacity or intelligence. It is not purely based on ingenuity either. But there is an obvious Darwinian theory of survival of the fittest.

I have summed up the following as some of the factors that aid seamless transition and success in mainstream politics: flexibility and adaptation, ability to tolerate others and accept their views, bigger ambition, independent source of income, self-knowledge and education, learning when to speak and when to remain silent, mentorship and obedience to those mentors.

Of course, even with the above, it is still not a guarantee of success. Success belongs to God the Almighty.

Saifullahi Attahir is the President of the National Association of Jigawa State Medical Students (NAJIMS). He wrote this piece from Federal University Dutse, via saifullahiattahir93@gmail.com.  

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has alleged that his life is in danger, accusing the administration of President Bola Tinubu of targeting him following an attack in Ekiti State.

Sowore made the allegation on Friday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he spoke about the incident and his concerns over his safety.

He also alleged that the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police knew the individuals responsible for the attack, claiming that the police commissioner visited him and others while they were receiving medical attention.

According to Sowore, some people advised him to leave the area after the police commissioner’s visit because of concerns about the alleged attackers’ connections.

“The Commissioner of Police came to see us while we were being treated, so he knew the people who attacked us. When he left, people were saying that, ‘Sowore, you better leave because Oga knows these people,’” he said.

The activist further alleged that he had previously been subjected to surveillance during a visit to Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He claimed that a tracking device had been placed under his vehicle and that investigations traced it to the Department of State Services (DSS).

Sowore also referenced his prosecution over comments in which he described President Tinubu as a criminal, arguing that the legal action was part of a broader pattern of government hostility towards him.

“My life is at stake and I have been a threat to the government since I was 20 years old,” he said.

He maintained that the attack in Ekiti was unprovoked and accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of continuing a pattern of actions against him, recalling his previous detention during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Sowore’s allegations have not been independently established in the account of the interview, and no response from the Ekiti State Police Command or the Federal Government was included in the report.

The incident has renewed attention on concerns surrounding the safety of political activists and the treatment of opposition figures in Nigeria.

The Daily Reality

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Northern Comrades Movement of Nigeria (NCMN) has strongly condemned the recent arrest and arraignment of Prof. Usman Yusuf, the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and Omoyele Sowore, a 2023 presidential aspirant from the African Action Congress (AAC). 

According to the NCMN, the actions taken against Prof. Usman Yusuf, known for his outspoken advocacy for good governance, transparency, and accountability, and Sowore, a journalist and human rights activist, are part of a broader attempt by the government to suppress opposition and weaken democratic principles in the country.

Although Sowore was released on bail, the NCMN called for the immediate and unconditional release of Prof. Usman Yusuf, warning that such actions undermine Nigeria’s democratic foundations. The group expressed concern that suppressing dissent could pave the way for an era of criminalising opposition voices.

The movement, led by Mal. Jabir Ibrahim Yaro emphasized the importance of protecting citizens’ rights to free speech and opposing any efforts to intimidate government critics. The NCMN further urged the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders to take immediate action and ensure the protection of democratic rights.

Comrade Ahmad Ashir, the National Secretary, and Comrade Muhammad Ayuba, the NCMN spokesman, signed the press release.

The movement addressed key figures, including the President of Nigeria, the Senate President, the Attorney General, and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in a broader call for accountability.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Organisers of the #FearlessOctober1 protest have declared that the police, Department of State Services, and the military would not stop them from embarking on the demonstration as planned.

The organisers have also written to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to request security during the demonstration, noting that protest is a fundamental right they would not submit to any state agent.

Nigeria will celebrate its 64th independence on Tuesday, October 1, the day some Nigerian youths have taken to protest the hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy and the devaluation of the naira.

The National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, and Director of Mobilisation of the group, Damilare Adenola, said mobilisation efforts had begun, adding that Nigerians were mobilising from different parts of the country for the protest.

“We have also written to the Inspector General of Police, informing him of our protest locations and reminding him of the constitutional duty of the police to protect protesters as opposed to the repression we have witnessed in times past,” said Sanyaolu.

The group explained that the FCT protest would be held at the Eagle Square, the same venue of the Independence Day parade, while the Lagos protest would take place at the Ikeja Under Bridge.

The organisers noted that the protest would be across the country, adding that only ‘immediate reversal of fuel subsidy removal’ would dissuade them from the demonstration.

The IG, Egbetokun, had directed the Force zonal and state commands to deploy men from Monday to strategic locations until a stand-down order was given.

Egbetokun also directed that the policemen should dress in camouflage with hats, even as he asked the Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Commissioners of Police to engage and discourage available civil society groups and individuals from participating in the protest.

We are not afraid – Sowore, Adeyanju

However, a leader of the protest, Omoyele Sowore, said the youth were not afraid of the police, adding that the protest would hold as planned.

Sowore explained that the reported fear of some people about the possibility of violence during the protest was not true.

“Nobody has expressed to us or anyone that they’re afraid because they know we are not violent protesters; maybe you should ask that of the government,” he added.

Lawyer to the organisers, Deji Adeyanju, said it was wrong for the police to summon protesters who were exercising their right.

“The police do not have the right to summon protesters like they are currently doing. It is the responsibility of the police to protect the protesters anytime they embark on a demonstration. The protesters are not political parties; security agencies should not harass them,” he stated.

The counsel noted that the crackdown on #EndBadGovernance protesters in August was to discourage people from participating in further demonstrations in the country.

He, however, said the arrest and detention of some of the demonstrators would not deter youths from joining the #FearlessOctober1 protest.

Adeyanju said, “The government plans to discourage people from coming out to protest; that is why they are still detaining our comrades who participated in the August protest. But that will not dampen the morale of the youths on the #FearlessOctober protest.”

Eight groups to join Lagos protest

He added that the #FearlessOctober1 demonstration was a continuation of the #Endbadgovernance protest, which took place in August, adding that the demonstration was necessitated by the failure of the Federal Government to address their demands.

He listed some of their demands to include the reversal of the subsidy removal policy, amendment of the constitution, overhauling of the legislature, and the unconditional release of protesters in police custody.Adenola said,

“We are unperturbed by the threats issued by security agencies. What we have seen so far is that they (security agencies) don’t respect the rights of protesters; they may end up instigating violence against protesters.

“But we will keep warning them to ensure that they respect people’s right to express their grievances as guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We are also using this opportunity to call on the Nigerian people to come out unafraid and express their grievances. When we have enough protesters on the ground, the police and other security agencies will dare not harass them.

“People are experiencing hardship, and the government is telling them not to protest. It is just natural; people have to speak up against this hardship inflicted by President Bola Tinubu’s government,” Adenola said.

The Secretary of the Democratic Socialist Movement, Peluola Adewale, said no harassment or intimidation from any security agencies would stop the protest, disclosing that about eight civil society groups would participate in the demonstration in Lagos State.

He warned the government against sponsoring hoodlums to infiltrate genuine protesters during the protests, stating that the demonstration would be peaceful in Lagos.

“We cannot rule out the fact that the government can sponsor violence to discredit the protest, but we want to warn them against that. People should not be deprived of their freedom of expression and assembly. Protest is our fundamental right, and we cannot surrender it to the police or anyone. We are not afraid of the police, DSS, or military,” he added.

Another leader of the protesters, Taiwo Hassan, said Nigerians had the right to freedom of expression and lawful assembly.

He said, “We are never going to submit our rights. Yes, you know many people might be afraid of what will happen if they are shot or what happens if they are arrested. But increasingly as people are thinking of that, people are also realising that our condition in this country is one between the devil and the deep blue sea. If you come out to protest, yes, maybe there is a chance that you might be arrested or you might be killed.

“But people also realize that even when you stay at home and don’t come out to protest, it doesn’t mean your life will be safe. Hunger is killing people right there in their bedroom. People are committing suicide and the state of insecurity means that none of us is safe.”

Police give assurance to Katsina protesters

Meanwhile, the Katsina State Police Command has said it had implemented measures to ensure the planned nationwide protest does not descend into chaos.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, on Saturday, said the command had mobilised both human and intelligence resources to guarantee safety before, during, and after the protest.

Sadiq said, “We have taken proactive measures to ensure public safety and security. Adequate personnel have been deployed to prevent any breakdown of law and order, with enhanced intelligence gathering, surveillance, and patrols across the state.

“While we recognise the rights of citizens to protest, we urge protesters to exercise these rights responsibly and within the framework of the law,” he said.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar

Department of State Services (DSS) operatives have arrested Omoyele Sowore, convener of the #RevolutionNow protest.

According to SaharaReporters, Sowore was arrested on Sunday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos upon his arrival in Nigeria.

Sowore’s arrest may be connected to the 10-day #EndBadGovernance protest held across the country in August.

The Take-It-Back Movement and several other civil society organisations spearheaded the protest.

Sowore is also the convener of the movement.

Another protest is being planned by organisers of the #EndBadGovernance protest — scheduled for October 1.

In a post via his X page, Sowore said he was detained by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and his passport was seized.

“I had just arrived in Nigeria from the USA to the MMIA in Lagos; upon reaching Nigerian Immigration, my passport was seized, and they told me they had orders to detain me,” he wrote.

“This is not unexpected because I have always known that It is part of the broader clampdown by the fascist Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime on dissent and their fear of the upcoming #FearlessINOctober revolt.

“In case this becomes another prolonged and protracted detention, I urge our citizens to ensure they ALL stop tyranny by all means acceptable and necessary by engaging in the planned series of direct actions slated for October 1st and beyond.”

The Publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoleye Sowore, has been arrested by officers of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) in Abuja.

The incident happened at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the venue of the trial of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Sowore confirmed the incident on his Twitter handle that he was “Just arrested by @PoliceNG at the Federal High Court in Abuja!”