Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has vowed to reverse President Bola Tinubu’s fuel subsidy removal policy on his first day in office if elected president in 2027, describing the subsidy regime as a scam.
Sowore also promised to prosecute and imprison public officials who embezzle public funds, saying failure to punish those who steal money meant for infrastructure, education and healthcare would amount to bad public policy.
The human rights activist made the pledges during a recent interview with Symfoni TV, where he outlined his plans for Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Asked whether he would make a major policy announcement immediately after being sworn in, similar to Tinubu’s declaration on fuel subsidy removal during his inauguration in May 2023, Sowore said he would immediately reverse the policy.
“On the first day I’ve been sworn in, I’m also going to reverse Tinubu’s policy. That’s to reinstate whatever they call subsidy,” he said.
Sowore argued that the fuel subsidy regime was fraudulent, saying whatever arrangement previously kept petrol prices at ₦400 or below should be restored.
“I don’t believe there’s subsidy. We found out that it’s all a scam. Whatever it is that is called subsidy, whatever was there that kept petrol at N400 or less, that will be reinstated immediately,” he added.
Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy during his inauguration on May 29, 2023. The decision was followed by a sharp increase in fuel prices and transportation costs and contributed to mounting economic pressure on Nigerians.
Sowore also criticised the Federal Government’s handling of the economy, education, energy and insecurity, describing the Tinubu administration’s policies in those areas as failures.
He said he would not retain any of the current administration’s policies if elected president.
“There’s no policy of this present administration, the regime, that I would touch with a six-foot-tall pole. Never,” he said.
“His policy on energy is a failure. His policy on education, which is giving loans to people who can’t afford to find jobs and pay back, is a failure. His policy on the economy is a failure. His security policy is the worst.”
Sowore promises prosecution of corrupt officials
On corruption, Sowore said his administration would prosecute and imprison public officials who divert funds meant for essential services and infrastructure.
He clarified that imprisonment would not be used as a political tool or punishment for dissent, stressing that only individuals who commit crimes should face the law.
“Sending people to prison is not public policy. But not sending thieves to jail is bad public policy,” he said.
Sowore said officials who steal money allocated for schools, hospitals and road construction to build mansions in Nigeria or abroad must be held accountable.
“If you took the money that is meant for schools, hospitals, you know, and for the development of highways, and you go and build a mansion in Europe or Dubai or even Abuja, if we don’t send you to jail, we are not serious,” he said.
Sowore defends political experience
The AAC presidential candidate also dismissed criticisms that he lacked the political experience to govern Nigeria.
He said several of the policies he proposed during the 2019 presidential election had now become part of national political discussions.
Sowore cited his proposals on insecurity, electricity, economic diversification and workers’ wages, arguing that successive administrations and opposition politicians were adopting ideas he had previously advocated.
He said his political agenda was built around the acronym “SPICER HEAT,” which he introduced during his 2019 presidential campaign.
The framework covers security, power, infrastructure, the economy, anti-corruption, restructuring, health, education, agriculture, technology and tourism.
Sowore said the policies remained relevant to Nigeria’s current challenges and only required minor adjustments to address the country’s worsening economic and security situation.
Sowore backs decentralised policing
On insecurity, Sowore expressed support for decentralised policing, saying Nigeria should have policing structures at the federal, state, local government, campus, city and community levels.
He said the different policing units should operate under centrally established training standards, with federal authorities empowered to intervene where any unit violates human rights or abuses its powers.
“I support state police, I support campus police, I support city police, I support town-to-town policing. The only thing that must be there is that the training must be done centrally and by national standards,” he said.
Sowore, however, warned that establishing state police without adequate safeguards could worsen human rights violations, citing alleged abuses linked to vigilante and quasi-security groups.
He also called for improved remuneration for security personnel, arguing that poorly paid officers could become vulnerable to corruption and abuse.
The AAC candidate proposed redirecting funds currently allocated as security votes to governors towards the direct payment of police salaries.
“You cannot give guns to people who are hungry. They are just empowered armed robbers,” he said.
Sowore rejects regional government
On the structure of government, Sowore rejected calls for a return to regional government, arguing that the existing state system was better positioned to bring development closer to citizens.
He said states should retain some level of autonomy to formulate policies and pursue development based on the needs of their residents.
Sowore argued that returning to a regional structure could centralise government activities in regional headquarters and make access to public services more difficult for residents of other states.
He cited the possibility of residents of Ekiti having to travel to Ibadan to access regional government services.
“I am not in support of regional government. I am in support of the presidential state system,” he said.
AAC relies on crowdfunding, Sowore says
Sowore also defended the AAC’s funding model, describing it as independent of the financial interests associated with Nigeria’s conventional political system.
He said the party relies on crowdfunding, donations from members and voluntary contributions rather than selling nomination forms or depending on wealthy political sponsors.
According to him, the AAC operates an online platform through which Nigerians can donate to the party and individual candidates, with the funds used to finance its political activities.
Sowore said party members also contribute what he described as “sweat equity” by volunteering their time and resources without financial compensation.
He maintained that the approach had helped the AAC sustain its activities over the past eight years without relying on the financial practices associated with mainstream political parties.
On Nigeria’s foreign policy, Sowore said the country’s development was central to the progress of the African continent.
He described Nigeria as a critical force in Africa’s political and economic advancement, arguing that the country’s inability to address its domestic challenges had weakened its influence across the continent.
“The only way you can pull Africa to the top and to become the best is to make Nigeria the best, because Nigeria, as I often describe, is Africa,” he said.
Sowore described Nigeria as the trigger of an African pistol, arguing that the country’s progress would have a wider impact on other African nations.
He also dismissed President Tinubu’s Independence Day speech, saying he no longer listens to the president’s addresses because he has never believed in his leadership.
Source: SaharaReporters
