{"success":true,"message":"News retrieved","data":{"articles":[{"id":"c18222fe-4139-4dd5-b5b3-91d8ae8f9b00","user_id":"89cabeb3-4fd6-45c3-a0de-9457c1533943","title":"‘Agbaya, big for nothing’: Rex Elanu fires back at Basiru over ‘skit maker’ remark on Sowore","slug":"agbaya-big-for-nothing-rex-elanu-fires-back-at-basiru-over-skit-maker-remark-on-sowore","body":"\n\nThe African Action Congress (AAC) has fired back at the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, over his description of the party’s presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, as a “skit maker,” insisting that his experience in fighting for justice and defending Nigerians’ rights makes him qualified to lead the country.\n\nRex Elanu, the AAC publicity secretary and spokesperson for the #SoworeMagashi2027 campaign, responded to Basiru’s comments during an interview on RBN TV on Thursday morning.\n\nBasiru had described Sowore as a skit maker and challenged him to win a seat in the House of Assembly before Nigerians could begin to take him seriously as a politician. The APC national secretary also claimed that rejected ballot papers received more votes than the AAC in the 2023 general election.\n\nBasiru’s remarks followed the AAC’s request to launch its presidential campaign at the Presidential Villa.\n\nReacting, Elanu criticised the APC chieftain’s comments, using the Yoruba expression “Agbaya” to describe what he considered an attempt to belittle Sowore.\n\n“When I say ‘Agbaya’, we call people ‘Agbaya’ when they are big for nothing,” Elanu said.\n\nHe also questioned the description of Sowore as a skit maker, recalling his involvement in activism and Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle.\n\n“He was also a comrade at the barricades. So perhaps he was a skit maker then,” Elanu said.\n\nThe AAC spokesperson suggested that some politicians who had known Sowore for years might be uncomfortable with his presidential ambition, especially as they now serve under a political establishment that Sowore seeks to challenge.\n\nAccording to Elanu, it was concerning that some of Sowore’s contemporaries were serving in the APC-led government while he was seeking to become president. He further argued that if the APC government were performing well, Basiru would not be making such comments about Sowore.\n\nElanu also challenged Basiru’s argument that Sowore must first win an elective position before he could be taken seriously as a politician.\n\n“All of them who have been winning seats, can you sincerely say you are taking any of them seriously?” he asked.\n\nHe argued that winning elections and holding public office should not be the only measures of a politician’s competence, insisting that Nigerians should judge political leaders by their achievements and the impact of their time in government.\n\nElanu added that the experience of some politicians in public office had contributed to problems such as injustice, impunity, misuse of public resources and abuse of power.\n\n“What the experience has done over time is either experience, using the experience to kill people, assassinate, lose our resources, change the law, foster injustice and impunity,” he said.\n\nIn contrast, Elanu maintained that Sowore had gained a different kind of experience through his long-standing involvement in campaigns for democracy, justice and the protection of citizens’ rights.\n\nHe said Sowore had participated in Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle from his youth and had continued to support movements seeking political and social change.\n\n“Sowore has an experience in fighting for what matters the most for a nation, not just a local government,” Elanu said.\n\nHe argued that Nigeria needed a leader whose experience was centred on defending the interests of ordinary citizens rather than one whose credentials depended mainly on holding political office.\n\n‘Sowore is an expert in fighting for justice’\n\nResponding to suggestions that Sowore was primarily known for organising protests, Elanu said his activism should be viewed as part of a broader commitment to fighting injustice and defending the rights of Nigerians.\n\nHe rejected the idea that being known for protests was a weakness, arguing that demonstrations were often necessary when citizens sought accountability and demanded better governance.\n\n“Why does he want to say an expert when it comes to protests? You should rephrase and say an expert when it comes to fighting for justice, an expert when it comes to fighting for the rights and interest of common Nigerians,” he said.\n\nElanu explained that Nigerians did not take to the streets simply to be tear-gassed or arrested but to demand solutions to issues affecting their lives.\n\nHe added that Sowore’s participation in protests had often come at a personal cost, exposing him to discomfort and risks to his safety.\n\nAccording to him, such sacrifices demonstrated Sowore’s commitment to the struggles of ordinary Nigerians and distinguished him from politicians whose experience was based mainly on holding public office.\n\nElanu maintained that the country needed leaders who were prepared to challenge injustice and defend the public interest, regardless of the personal consequences.\n\nHe therefore called on Nigerians to support Sowore and the AAC, arguing that the party represented an alternative to the established political order.","excerpt":"...it was concerning that some of Sowore’s contemporaries were serving in the APC-led government while he was seeking to become president. He further argued that if the APC government were performing well, Basiru would not be making such comments about Sowore...","status":"published","published_at":"2026-10-22T14:47:56.087Z","meta":{"cover_image":"https://assets.helloworld.com.ng/soworenow/general/4c3d02d9-9177-4c33-9b30-2ec63438b292.jpg"},"created_at":"2026-10-22T14:47:56.088Z","updated_at":"2026-10-22T22:04:08.084Z","scheduled_publish_at":null,"seo_title":null,"seo_description":null,"og_image_file_id":null,"twitter_card":"summary","canonical_url":null,"robots_directive":null,"search_vector":"'2023':191C 'aac':65C,119C,188C,199C,292C,840C 'abus':478C 'accord':325C,778C 'account':678C 'achiev':445C 'action':63C 'activ':265C,638C 'ad':455C,755C 'affect':751C 'african':62C 'agbaya':1A,223C,237C,241C 'ajibola':80C 'also':177C,251C,275C,373C 'altern':847C 'ambit':310C 'apc':31B,47B,78C,174C,215C,342C,358C 'apc-l':30B,341C 'argu':43B,354C,417C,588C,669C,841C 'argument':377C 'arrest':744C 'ask':415C 'assassin':497C 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'youth':554C","type":"news","category":"general","source_name":null,"source_url":null,"is_breaking":false,"is_featured":true,"share_count":2,"client_id":null,"author_email":"popoolasulaimon46@gmail.com","engagement":{"like_count":17,"liked":false,"reactions":{"like":17,"love":0,"fire":0,"solidarity":0,"sad":0},"reaction_count":17,"viewer_reaction":null,"comment_count":8,"share_count":2}},{"id":"b048c938-4d59-42ef-bfdb-584ce9768d50","user_id":"89cabeb3-4fd6-45c3-a0de-9457c1533943","title":"Sowore to speak on governance, accountability at ICAN conference","slug":"sowore-to-speak-on-governance-accountability-at-ican-conference","body":"\n\nOmoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2027 general election, is set to speak on governance and public accountability at the 56th Annual Accountants’ Conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).\n\nSowore, a journalist, human rights activist and politician, will participate as a paper discussant at the conference scheduled to hold from Sunday, October 18, to Friday, October 23, 2026, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.\n\nThe conference has the theme, “Beyond Numbers: Strengthening the Economy, Securing the Nation.”\n\nAccording to an announcement by the organisers, Sowore will share his views on Nigeria’s economic priorities, fiscal reforms and the role of the accounting profession in building a resilient and prosperous nation.\n\nHis session, titled “Accountants in Politics: Strengthening Governance and Public Accountability,” will focus on the relationship between politics, good governance and accountability in the management of public resources.\n\nThe discussion is also expected to examine how accountants and other professionals can contribute to transparency, responsible leadership and effective management of public funds.\n\nThe conference theme highlights the connection between a strong economy and national security, as well as the need for sound financial policies to support sustainable development.\n\nSowore’s participation will bring a political perspective to discussions on economic management and public accountability, particularly the role of public office holders and professionals in promoting transparency in government.\n\nThe six-day conference is expected to provide a platform for accountants and other stakeholders to exchange ideas on economic reforms, governance and national development.\n\nThe event will end on Friday, October 23, 2026, in Abuja.","excerpt":"Sowore’s participation will bring a political perspective to discussions on economic management and public accountability, particularly the role of public office holders and professionals in promoting transparency in government...","status":"published","published_at":"2026-10-21T22:11:33.181Z","meta":{"cover_image":"https://assets.helloworld.com.ng/soworenow/general/a99858d3-bbb5-447a-89c7-433378fb8902.jpg"},"created_at":"2026-10-21T22:11:33.181Z","updated_at":"2026-10-22T08:27:36.860Z","scheduled_publish_at":null,"seo_title":null,"seo_description":null,"og_image_file_id":null,"twitter_card":"summary","canonical_url":null,"robots_directive":null,"search_vector":"'18':103C '2026':108C,307C '2027':53C '23':107C,306C '56th':67C 'aac':50C 'abuja':118C,309C 'accord':132C 'account':6A,25B,64C,69C,76C,156C,168C,175C,186C,201C,258C,285C 'action':48C 'activist':85C 'african':47C 'ahm':112C 'also':196C 'announc':135C 'annual':68C 'beyond':124C 'bola':111C 'bring':14B,247C 'build':159C 'candid':44C 'centr':116C 'charter':75C 'confer':9A,70C,96C,115C,120C,218C,277C 'congress':49C 'connect':222C 'contribut':206C 'day':276C 'develop':242C,298C 'discuss':19B,93C,194C,252C 'econom':21B,147C,254C,293C 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election","slug":"over-50-apc-members-dump-party-for-aac-declare-support-for-saheed-oladele-ahead-of-2027-oyo-governorship-election","body":"\nOver 50 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have reportedly declared their support for the African Action Congress (AAC) governorship candidate, Oloye Saheed Oladele, ahead of the 2027 governorship election.\n\nOladele disclosed this in a statement shared on his social media handles on Tuesday evening, announcing that the APC members had visited to declare their support for his gubernatorial ambition.\n\nIn the statement titled “From APC to AAC,” the candidate said the delegation comprised grassroots mobilisers from different local government areas of Oyo State.\n\nHe also disclosed that the delegation was led by a former two-term member of the Oyo State House of Assembly who served during the administration of the late former governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.\n\nAccording to Oladele, the group expressed confidence in his ability to lead the state and contribute to its development. He quoted the defectors as describing him as “truly a breath of fresh air needed at this critical time in the politics of Oyo State.”\n\nThe group also reportedly expressed the belief that Oladele had what it takes to build an Oyo State that meets the expectations and aspirations of its people.\n\nThe AAC candidate further said the new supporters chose to align with his political ambition rather than embrace what he described as the politics of “Bóo rójú mi, oò rínú mi, dẹmo n mo wà,” a Yoruba expression he used to criticise what he considers the prevailing style of politics in the state.\n\nOladele described his candidacy as an option for those seeking a different political direction in Oyo State. He added that the new members had promised to begin mobilising support for the AAC immediately, with the aim of helping the party win the 2027 elections.","excerpt":"In the statement titled “From APC to AAC,” the candidate said the delegation comprised grassroots mobilisers from different local government areas of Oyo State...","status":"published","published_at":"2026-10-21T04:24:59.411Z","meta":{"cover_image":"https://assets.helloworld.com.ng/soworenow/general/9d51670c-4341-44e1-aabe-e0fe3566d7f9.jpg"},"created_at":"2026-10-21T04:24:59.411Z","updated_at":"2026-10-21T11:29:42.458Z","scheduled_publish_at":null,"seo_title":null,"seo_description":null,"og_image_file_id":null,"twitter_card":"summary","canonical_url":null,"robots_directive":null,"search_vector":"'2027':16A,75C,333C '50':2A,45C 'aac':8A,27B,66C,115C,239C,322C 'abil':176C 'abiola':165C 'accord':167C 'action':64C 'ad':309C 'administr':158C 'african':63C 'ahead':14A,72C 'aim':326C 'air':199C 'ajimobi':166C 'align':248C 'also':133C,213C 'ambit':107C,252C 'announc':93C 'apc':3A,25B,52C,96C,113C 'area':40B,128C 'aspir':234C 'assembl':153C 'begin':317C 'belief':217C 'breath':196C 'build':225C 'bóo':263C 'candid':29B,68C,117C,240C 'candidaci':294C 'chose':246C 'compris':33B,121C 'confid':173C 'congress':51C,65C 'consid':282C 'contribut':182C 'critic':203C 'criticis':279C 'declar':9A,58C,101C 'defector':189C 'deleg':32B,120C,137C 'describ':191C,258C,292C 'develop':185C 'differ':37B,125C,302C 'direct':304C 'disclos':79C,134C 'dump':5A 'dẹmo':269C 'elect':19A,77C,334C 'embrac':255C 'even':92C 'expect':232C 'express':172C,215C,275C 'former':142C,162C 'fresh':198C 'govern':39B,127C 'governor':163C 'governorship':18A,67C,76C 'grassroot':34B,122C 'group':171C,212C 'gubernatori':106C 'handl':89C 'help':328C 'hous':151C 'immedi':323C 'late':161C 'lead':178C 'led':139C 'local':38B,126C 'media':88C 'meet':230C 'member':4A,46C,97C,146C,313C 'mi':265C,268C 'mo':271C 'mobilis':35B,123C,318C 'n':270C 'need':200C 'new':244C,312C 'oladel':13A,71C,78C,169C,219C,291C 'oloy':69C 'option':297C 'oyo':17A,42B,54C,130C,149C,209C,227C,306C 'oò':266C 'parti':6A,330C 'peopl':237C 'polit':207C,251C,261C,287C,303C 'prevail':284C 'progress':50C 'promis':315C 'quot':187C 'rather':253C 'report':57C,214C 'rínú':267C 'rójú':264C 'sahe':12A,70C 'said':30B,118C,242C 'seek':300C 'senat':164C 'serv':155C 'share':84C 'social':87C 'state':43B,55C,131C,150C,180C,210C,228C,290C,307C 'statement':22B,83C,110C 'style':285C 'support':10A,60C,103C,245C,319C 'take':223C 'term':145C 'time':204C 'titl':23B,111C 'truli':194C 'tuesday':91C 'two':144C 'two-term':143C 'use':277C 'visit':99C 'win':331C 'wà':272C 'yoruba':274C","type":"news","category":"general","source_name":null,"source_url":null,"is_breaking":false,"is_featured":true,"share_count":2,"client_id":null,"author_email":"popoolasulaimon46@gmail.com","engagement":{"like_count":34,"liked":false,"reactions":{"like":34,"love":0,"fire":0,"solidarity":0,"sad":0},"reaction_count":34,"viewer_reaction":null,"comment_count":10,"share_count":2}},{"id":"f5d321a4-bd5d-4b9a-8dce-50a4845ad6cd","user_id":"89cabeb3-4fd6-45c3-a0de-9457c1533943","title":"AAC guber candidate, SolNuyi, promises people-centred governance in Lagos","slug":"aac-guber-candidate-solnuyi-promises-people-centred-governance-in-lagos","body":"\n\nEngr. Oluwadamola Adesoca SolNuyi, the gubernatorial candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in Lagos State for the 2027 election, has promised to pursue people-centred governance, with a focus on improving the living conditions of residents and making government more responsive to their needs.\n\nSolNuyi, who stated this in an interview with EJIKEME OMENAZU of Independent Newspaper for Independent Sunday, said his vision was to build a Lagos where government policies and programmes would prioritise the welfare of the people.\n\nHe described his vision as “a new Lagos where government works for the people rather than the people existing to serve government.”\n\nAccording to him, his mission is to build a state that is economically productive, socially just, environmentally sustainable, secure and inclusive.\n\nThe AAC candidate identified three principles that would guide his proposed administration: “Family First, People First and Lagos First.”\n\nHe explained that the Family First principle would ensure that government policies were designed with the needs and welfare of families in mind.\n\n“Family First means recognising that government policies ultimately affect families,” he said.\n\nSolNuyi noted that issues such as housing, education, healthcare, transportation, employment and security should be addressed based on how they affect the daily lives of residents. He said the central question behind every government policy should be: “How does this improve the life of the Lagos family?”\n\nThe candidate added that his vision was to create a state where young people could access quality education and find meaningful opportunities, while workers would enjoy decent living conditions.\n\nHe also expressed his desire to see market women and artisans grow their businesses, residents access affordable healthcare and families secure decent housing.\n\nAccording to him, development should not come at the expense of vulnerable communities, stressing the need for policies that would balance urban growth with the protection of people who could be affected by development projects.\n\nSolNuyi said his vision for Lagos went beyond physical development and the beautification of the city, adding that the government must also address the challenges faced by residents in their daily lives.\n\n“My vision is not merely to make Lagos look beautiful from the outside. I want to make Lagos work better for the people who live here,” he said.\n\nHe maintained that the proposed administration would focus on improving the relationship between government and residents by making public policies more responsive to the needs of families, workers, business owners and other groups across the state.\n\nThe AAC candidate's stated vision places family welfare, social justice, economic opportunities, affordable essential services, environmental sustainability and inclusive development at the centre of his proposed governance agenda ahead of the 2027 Lagos State governorship election.","excerpt":"SolNuyi noted that issues such as housing, education, healthcare, transportation, employment and security should be addressed based on how they affect the daily lives of residents. He said the central question behind every government policy should be: “How does this improve the life of the Lagos family?...","status":"published","published_at":"2026-10-19T05:08:38.805Z","meta":{"cover_image":"https://assets.helloworld.com.ng/soworenow/general/b08f97ef-e273-42bb-8cdb-c53855a74708.png"},"created_at":"2026-10-19T05:08:38.806Z","updated_at":"2026-10-20T08:11:58.960Z","scheduled_publish_at":null,"seo_title":null,"seo_description":null,"og_image_file_id":null,"twitter_card":"summary","canonical_url":null,"robots_directive":null,"search_vector":"'2027':77C,500C 'aac':1A,71C,185C,469C 'access':300C,329C 'accord':163C,337C 'across':465C 'action':69C 'ad':287C,388C 'address':27B,253C,394C 'adesoca':61C 'administr':195C,437C 'affect':32B,234C,258C,368C 'afford':330C,481C 'african':68C 'agenda':496C 'ahead':497C 'also':315C,393C 'artisan':324C 'balanc':357C 'base':28B,254C 'beauti':413C 'beautif':384C 'behind':43B,269C 'better':423C 'beyond':379C 'build':126C,170C 'busi':327C,460C 'candid':3A,65C,186C,286C,470C 'centr':8A,85C,491C 'central':41B,267C 'challeng':396C 'citi':387C 'come':343C 'communiti':349C 'condit':94C,313C 'congress':70C 'could':299C,366C 'creat':293C 'daili':34B,260C,402C 'decent':311C,335C 'describ':142C 'design':216C 'desir':318C 'develop':340C,370C,381C,488C 'econom':175C,479C 'educ':19B,245C,302C 'ejikem':113C 'elect':78C,504C 'employ':22B,248C 'engr':59C 'enjoy':310C 'ensur':211C 'environment':179C,484C 'essenti':482C 'everi':44B,270C 'exist':159C 'expens':346C 'explain':204C 'express':316C 'face':397C 'famili':58B,196C,207C,223C,226C,235C,284C,333C,458C,475C 'find':304C 'first':197C,199C,202C,208C,227C 'focus':89C,439C 'govern':9A,45B,86C,99C,130C,150C,162C,213C,231C,271C,391C,445C,495C 'governorship':503C 'group':464C 'grow':325C 'growth':359C 'guber':2A 'gubernatori':64C 'guid':192C 'healthcar':20B,246C,331C 'hous':18B,244C,336C 'identifi':187C 'improv':52B,91C,278C,441C 'inclus':183C,487C 'independ':116C,119C 'interview':111C 'issu':15B,241C 'justic':478C 'lago':11A,57B,73C,128C,148C,201C,283C,377C,411C,421C,501C 'life':54B,280C 'live':35B,93C,261C,312C,403C,428C 'look':412C 'maintain':433C 'make':98C,410C,420C,449C 'market':321C 'mean':228C 'meaning':305C 'mere':408C 'mind':225C 'mission':167C 'must':392C 'need':104C,219C,352C,456C 'new':147C 'newspap':117C 'note':13B,239C 'oluwadamola':60C 'omenazu':114C 'opportun':306C,480C 'outsid':416C 'owner':461C 'peopl':7A,84C,140C,154C,158C,198C,298C,364C,426C 'people-centr':6A,83C 'physic':380C 'place':474C 'polici':46B,131C,214C,232C,272C,354C,451C 'principl':189C,209C 'prioritis':135C 'product':176C 'programm':133C 'project':371C 'promis':5A,80C 'propos':194C,436C,494C 'protect':362C 'public':450C 'pursu':82C 'qualiti':301C 'question':42B,268C 'rather':155C 'recognis':229C 'relationship':443C 'resid':37B,96C,263C,328C,399C,447C 'respons':101C,453C 'said':39B,121C,237C,265C,373C,431C 'secur':24B,181C,250C,334C 'see':320C 'serv':161C 'servic':483C 'social':177C,477C 'solnuyi':4A,12B,62C,105C,238C,372C 'state':74C,107C,172C,295C,467C,472C,502C 'stress':350C 'sunday':120C 'sustain':180C,485C 'three':188C 'transport':21B,247C 'ultim':233C 'urban':358C 'vision':123C,144C,290C,375C,405C,473C 'vulner':348C 'want':418C 'welfar':137C,221C,476C 'went':378C 'women':322C 'work':151C,422C 'worker':308C,459C 'would':134C,191C,210C,309C,356C,438C 'young':297C","type":"news","category":"general","source_name":null,"source_url":null,"is_breaking":false,"is_featured":true,"share_count":3,"client_id":null,"author_email":"popoolasulaimon46@gmail.com","engagement":{"like_count":25,"liked":false,"reactions":{"like":25,"love":0,"fire":0,"solidarity":0,"sad":0},"reaction_count":25,"viewer_reaction":null,"comment_count":3,"share_count":3}},{"id":"58dc6131-cb6d-4a72-b908-178ab85092f1","user_id":"89cabeb3-4fd6-45c3-a0de-9457c1533943","title":"‘Who Stole the $2.4bn?’ Sowore Questions Okonjo-Iweala Over Subsidy Fraud","slug":"who-stole-the-2-4bn-sowore-questions-okonjo-iweala-over-subsidy-fraud","body":"\nOmoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has questioned the evidence linking the alleged $2.4 billion oil subsidy fraud to the 2012 kidnapping of the mother of the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.\n\nSowore, in a statement published on Sunday, October 18, challenged Okonjo-Iweala to provide details of the alleged fraud, including the identities of the companies and individuals involved, investigation reports, audit findings and prosecution records.\n\nThe activist and publisher also questioned whether there was verifiable evidence directly connecting the alleged fraud to the abduction of Okonjo-Iweala’s mother. He raised the questions while criticising the former Nigerian Minister of Finance’s account of the incident, which she discussed in her book, Fighting Corruption Is Dangerous.\n\n“The central question remains, who stole the alleged $2.4 billion? Where are the audit findings? Who were the implicated companies and individuals? What became of the investigations?” Sowore asked.\n\nHe also questioned the evidence supporting the claim that the kidnapping was carried out in retaliation for Okonjo-Iweala’s efforts to tackle corruption during her time in government.\n\nSowore argued that despite Okonjo-Iweala’s two terms at the centre of Nigeria’s economic management, important questions about the alleged subsidy fraud remained unanswered. He asked who she had identified as responsible for the alleged multibillion-dollar fraud and whether any companies or individuals had been formally implicated.\n\n“Which companies and individuals were implicated? Where are the audit findings, investigation reports and records of prosecution?” he asked.\n\nThe AAC presidential candidate also criticised Okonjo-Iweala’s handling of the economy while serving as Nigeria’s finance minister, describing her economic record as a failure. He further accused her of using her book to defend her anti-corruption record and attack critics who questioned her policies and performance in office.\n\nOkonjo-Iweala has previously spoken about her mother’s kidnapping and presented the incident as an example of the dangers associated with fighting corruption in Nigeria. Her book, Fighting Corruption Is Dangerous, discusses the risks and pressures she faced while serving in government and pursuing reforms.\n\nSowore, however, argued that the account did not provide sufficient evidence identifying those responsible for the alleged $2.4 billion fraud or explaining what happened to the money. He insisted that the public deserved answers about the alleged fraud and the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping.\n\n“Most importantly, what verifiable evidence establishes a direct connection between the alleged oil subsidy fraud and her mother’s kidnapping?” he asked.\n\nSowore also referred to what he described as Nigeria Police Force evidence concerning the involvement of palace guards, relatives and domestic workers in the abduction of Okonjo-Iweala’s mother. He said the allegations relating to the kidnapping had been addressed through police investigations, prosecution records and judicial findings.\n\nThe activist added that he was aware of no public challenge by Okonjo-Iweala to the police’s official account of the incident, nor any demand by her for a fresh and independent investigation. He argued that the police account should neither be accepted nor dismissed without examining the available evidence.\n\nSowore concluded by criticising Bloomberg Television journalist Francine Lacqua, arguing that she should have carried out further checks before accepting Okonjo-Iweala’s account of the kidnapping. He described the account as a “fairytale” and accused the journalist of failing to ask sufficient questions about the alleged fraud and its connection to the abduction.","excerpt":"“Which companies and individuals were implicated? Where are the audit findings, investigation reports and records of prosecution?” he asked...","status":"published","published_at":"2026-10-19T04:52:50.978Z","meta":{"cover_image":"https://assets.helloworld.com.ng/soworenow/general/82fd1aaa-8a4e-49d7-aa6b-dccfc0b816f4.jpg"},"created_at":"2026-10-19T04:52:50.978Z","updated_at":"2026-10-20T20:49:24.203Z","scheduled_publish_at":null,"seo_title":null,"seo_description":null,"og_image_file_id":null,"twitter_card":"summary","canonical_url":null,"robots_directive":null,"search_vector":"'18':85C '2.4':4A,50C,173C,413C '2012':57C 'aac':42C,296C 'abduct':131C,486C,618C 'accept':556C,583C 'account':151C,401C,532C,552C,588C,595C 'accus':325C,600C 'action':40C 'activist':114C,513C 'ad':514C 'address':503C 'african':39C 'alleg':49C,95C,127C,172C,246C,261C,412C,432C,451C,496C,611C 'also':117C,195C,299C,463C 'answer':429C 'anti':335C 'anti-corrupt':334C 'argu':225C,398C,548C,573C 'ask':32B,193C,252C,294C,461C,606C 'associ':370C 'attack':339C 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'wto':72C","type":"news","category":"general","source_name":null,"source_url":null,"is_breaking":false,"is_featured":true,"share_count":5,"client_id":null,"author_email":"popoolasulaimon46@gmail.com","engagement":{"like_count":15,"liked":false,"reactions":{"like":15,"love":0,"fire":0,"solidarity":0,"sad":0},"reaction_count":15,"viewer_reaction":null,"comment_count":5,"share_count":5}},{"id":"7242de06-c128-4c12-b36c-27a4a938f1ef","user_id":"89cabeb3-4fd6-45c3-a0de-9457c1533943","title":"AAC Chairman, Oyo state chapter, Babayomi, to appear on Agidigbo FM this morning over circular road victims","slug":"aac-chairman-oyo-state-chapter-babayomi-to-appear-on-agidigbo-fm-this-morning-over-circular-road-victims","body":"\n\nThe Chairman of the African Action Congress (AAC) in Oyo State, Kayode Babayomi, will appear on Agidigbo 88.7 FM this morning to discuss Governor Seyi Makinde’s political promises to victims of the Ibadan Circular Road project.\n\nBabayomi announced his appearance in a post shared alongside a promotional graphic for the radio programme, scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2026.\n\nThe discussion would focus on what he described as fake promises by Makinde to the affected communities in an attempt to secure their support for his preferred political candidate, Adekanmbi, ahead of the 2027 general elections.\n\nHe also criticised the governor’s handling of issues surrounding the Circular Road victims, stating that the recent promises were politically motivated.\n\nBabayomi claimed that the governor had described some demands relating to the affected communities as impossible about six months ago but was now discussing them in what he described as a desperate attempt to gain the support of the victims.\n\n“What Makinde claimed was impossible just six months ago, he is now desperately talking about in a bid to win the support of the affected communities and victims,” he said.\n\nThe AAC chairman further maintained that his party remained the only political party in Oyo State that had publicly and consistently stood with the Circular Road victims in their demand for justice.\n\nAccording to him, the party has continued to support the affected residents in their struggle to protect their interests and seek redress over issues arising from the road project.\n\nHe also expressed confidence that the people of Oyo State would see through what he described as the governor’s political gimmicks.\n\nThe programme is scheduled to air on Agidigbo 88.7 FM, Ibadan, at 9:00 a.m. this morning.","excerpt":"The Chairman of the African Action Congress (AAC) in Oyo State, Kayode Babayomi, will appear on Agidigbo 88.7 FM this morning to discuss Governor Seyi Makinde’s political promises to victims of the Ibadan Circular Road project...","status":"published","published_at":"2026-10-17T06:31:12.235Z","meta":{"cover_image":"https://assets.helloworld.com.ng/soworenow/general/6efc77b0-acad-4875-a815-54213dbed7ec.jpg"},"created_at":"2026-10-17T06:31:12.236Z","updated_at":"2026-10-17T13:23:14.375Z","scheduled_publish_at":null,"seo_title":null,"seo_description":null,"og_image_file_id":null,"twitter_card":"summary","canonical_url":null,"robots_directive":null,"search_vector":"'00':111C,342C '17':116C '2026':117C '2027':151C '88.7':35B,72C,337C '9':110C,341C 'a.m':112C,343C 'aac':1A,25B,62C,247C 'accord':278C 'action':23B,60C 'adekanmbi':147C 'affect':133C,188C,240C,288C 'african':22B,59C 'agidigbo':10A,34B,71C,336C 'ago':195C,224C 'ahead':148C 'air':334C 'alongsid':100C 'also':155C,308C 'announc':93C 'appear':8A,32B,69C,95C 'aris':302C 'attempt':137C,208C 'babayomi':6A,30B,67C,92C,176C 'bid':233C 'candid':146C 'chairman':2A,19B,56C,248C 'chapter':5A 'circular':15A,52B,89C,165C,270C 'claim':177C,218C 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Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has said that the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, could secure 10 million votes in a free and fair election if more Nigerians paid attention to the political process.\n\nAdebayo made the statement on Tuesday during a live interview with journalists Adeola Fayehun and Rudolf Okonkwo, while responding to a question from Fayehun.\n\nHe argued that Nigeria’s political problem was not the number of candidates contesting elections but the lack of voter participation and the manipulation of election results.\n\n“It’s not that there are many candidates running for office. It’s that there are not enough voters paying attention,” he said.\n\nAccording to him, Sowore could attract millions of votes if Nigerians actively participated in elections and the process was free from vote-rigging.\n\n“Because if you have enough voters paying attention, Sowore ordinarily can have, and if there’s nobody stealing the votes, Sowore can have 10 million votes,” Adebayo said.\n\nHe added that he expected to secure more votes than Sowore in such an election but maintained that the AAC candidate would still receive significant public support.\n\n“Of course, I will still have more than him, but he will have 10 million votes. And AAC will produce reasonable number,” he said.\n\nThe SDP candidate also predicted that President Bola Tinubu would struggle in an election that is free and fair, \"Tinubu will come last, where human beings are involved in voting,” he said.\n\nAdebayo further suggested that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar could also perform poorly in a credible election, arguing that the outcome would be different if voters were allowed to make their choices without interference.\n\nHe said, “Without rigging, without selling and buying of votes, without thuggery, without all of that, he will come last.”\n\nThe SDP presidential candidate stressed that Nigeria’s priority should be to protect voters’ rights and ensure that election results reflect the choices of the electorate.\n\n“What we need to understand is that the first thing Nigeria should invest in is let the voters make their choices,” he said.\n\nWhile acknowledging the possibility of opposition politicians with similar political views working together, Adebayo said differences within political parties could make such cooperation difficult. He argued that politicians who share similar ideas should be able to work together within the same political party, adding that their inability to coexist in one party could raise questions about their capacity to form a united political alliance.\n\n“One of the ways you will know is that if people cannot exist in the same political party, it’s a sign to you that they are not likely to find it easy to work together,” he said.\n\nAdebayo added that politicians with similar ideas should ordinarily belong to the same party.\n\n“When we have similar ideas, we ought to be in the same political party,” he said.\n\nHe, however, maintained that Nigerians should not blame political candidates for contesting separately, stressing that the central issue remained the need for credible elections in which voters could freely determine the outcome.","excerpt":"“It’s not that there are many candidates running for office. It’s that there are not enough voters paying attention...\"","status":"published","published_at":"2026-10-14T06:44:50.964Z","meta":{"cover_image":"https://assets.helloworld.com.ng/soworenow/general/580683b1-58e9-447c-869e-85c21e0701f6.jpg"},"created_at":"2026-10-14T06:44:50.964Z","updated_at":"2026-10-17T13:23:44.927Z","scheduled_publish_at":null,"seo_title":null,"seo_description":null,"og_image_file_id":null,"twitter_card":"summary","canonical_url":null,"robots_directive":null,"search_vector":"'10':4A,61C,200C,245C 'aac':54C,224C,249C 'abl':425C 'abubakar':296C 'accord':153C 'acknowledg':392C 'action':52C 'activ':164C 'ad':206C,434C,494C 'adebayo':13A,46C,79C,203C,288C,404C,493C 'adeola':91C 'adewol':12A,45C 'african':51C 'allianc':454C 'allow':315C 'also':259C,298C 'argu':104C,305C,416C 'atiku':295C 'attent':34B,74C,150C,184C 'attract':158C 'be':281C 'belong':502C 'blame':530C 'bola':263C 'buy':329C 'candid':11A,21B,37C,56C,115C,137C,225C,258C,345C,532C 'cannot':466C 'capac':448C 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Magashi","slug":"no-one-has-established-a-corruption-record-against-sowore-aac-vice-presidential-candidate-harun-magashi","body":"\n\nThe vice-presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Harun Magashi, has said no record of corruption has been established against the party’s presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, describing him as a suitable leader for Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.\n\nMagashi made the statement on Tuesday during an appearance on the RBN Morning Show in Abuja, where he joined Sowore for an in-depth interview on the party’s policies, programmes and plans for Nigeria.\n\nSpeaking on why he chose to run alongside Sowore, Magashi criticised Nigeria’s political leadership, accusing politicians in government and those seeking to take over power of having records of corruption.\n\nHe argued that Nigerians needed leaders who could demonstrate integrity and remain committed to the interests of ordinary citizens.\n\n“Primarily, what is our complaint about the leaders of Nigeria? They are corrupt. Those that are in government have a corruption record. Those that are trying to come in, they also have corruption records,” Magashi said.\n\nHe contrasted the situation with Sowore’s record, claiming that no established record of corruption existed against the AAC presidential candidate in Nigeria or abroad.\n\n“But no one has ever established a corruption record for Mr Sowore. So, to say it, he is the only presidential candidate with zero record of corruption, as far as Nigeria is concerned, whether in Nigeria or abroad,” he said.\n\nMagashi described Sowore as the right candidate to lead ordinary Nigerians, pointing to his longstanding involvement in activism and his advocacy on issues affecting the masses.\n\nHe added that Sowore had been active in public struggles before entering partisan politics and had continued to champion the interests of ordinary people since becoming a presidential candidate.\n\n“Before the outset of the politics, he has been active. People know him as champion of the masses,” Magashi said.\n\nHe added that Sowore had maintained his commitment to the struggle for ordinary Nigerians during his presidential bids in 2019 and 2023 and was continuing the same efforts ahead of the 2027 elections.\n\nThe AAC vice-presidential candidate said his decision to run alongside Sowore was informed by the need to support a leader he believed understood the challenges facing ordinary Nigerians.\n\nHe argued that citizens should choose leaders who identify with their struggles rather than those facing corruption allegations.\n\n“So definitely the masses need to understand that they need someone that is within them, rise and lead them, not someone that has been castigated as corrupt to emerge and say, ‘Oh, this is the person that will lead you,’” he said.\n\nMagashi maintained that his decision to join Sowore’s presidential ticket was driven by their shared commitment to fighting for the interests of the masses.","excerpt":"He argued that Nigerians needed leaders who could demonstrate integrity and remain committed to the interests of ordinary citizens...","status":"published","published_at":"2026-10-14T05:45:23.830Z","meta":{"cover_image":"https://assets.helloworld.com.ng/soworenow/general/f7653345-6ee1-4e5d-8792-44a22059479c.jpg"},"created_at":"2026-10-14T05:45:23.831Z","updated_at":"2026-10-15T15:44:30.729Z","scheduled_publish_at":null,"seo_title":null,"seo_description":null,"og_image_file_id":null,"twitter_card":"summary","canonical_url":null,"robots_directive":null,"search_vector":"'2019':361C '2023':363C '2027':77C,373C 'aac':10A,46C,220C,376C 'abroad':226C,264C 'abuja':95C 'accus':131C 'action':44C 'activ':284C,299C,331C 'ad':294C,343C 'advocaci':287C 'affect':290C 'african':43C 'ahead':74C,370C 'alleg':422C 'alongsid':123C,386C 'also':196C 'appear':88C 'argu':18B,148C,406C 'becom':318C 'believ':398C 'bid':359C 'candid':14A,40C,63C,222C,248C,273C,321C,380C 'castig':447C 'challeng':401C 'champion':311C,336C 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'within':436C 'zero':250C","type":"news","category":"general","source_name":null,"source_url":null,"is_breaking":false,"is_featured":true,"share_count":6,"client_id":null,"author_email":"popoolasulaimon46@gmail.com","engagement":{"like_count":34,"liked":false,"reactions":{"like":34,"love":0,"fire":0,"solidarity":0,"sad":0},"reaction_count":34,"viewer_reaction":null,"comment_count":13,"share_count":6}},{"id":"b3344735-b5e3-4c49-8b59-19bb6e6dd5a4","user_id":"89cabeb3-4fd6-45c3-a0de-9457c1533943","title":"‘I’m the only presidential candidate with verifiable solutions’ — Sowore","slug":"i-m-the-only-presidential-candidate-with-verifiable-solutions-sowore","body":"\n\nThe presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has claimed that he is the only presidential candidate who has presented verifiable solutions to Nigeria’s problems in written and digital formats ahead of the 2027 general elections.\n\nSowore made the claim on Tuesday during an appearance on the RBN Morning Show in Abuja, where he was interviewed alongside his running mate, Harun Magashi, on the party’s policies, programmes and plans for the country.\n\nResponding to a question about whether he had done enough to explain his plans for Nigeria, the AAC candidate rejected the suggestion that he had not adequately presented his proposed solutions to the country’s challenges.\n\n“Well, it's not correct that I've not shown Nigerians enough of what I would do. As a matter of fact, I'm the only presidential candidate that has provided verifiable solutions to Nigeria's problems in written form, in digital format, and have spoken about it,” he said.\n\nSowore also defended his continued involvement in protests and other forms of activism while preparing for the 2027 elections, arguing that the country's challenges required attention regardless of the electoral calendar.\n\nAccording to him, his political activities do not prevent him from addressing social and economic problems affecting Nigerians or challenging injustices.\n\nHe explained that his engagements include court appearances, protests and efforts to secure the release of people held in detention.\n\n“When elections are over, I don't go on vacation. So there are daily issues to be handled regarding the socio-political situation of Nigerian people that do not go away simply because elections are taking place,” he said.\n\nThe AAC candidate stressed that his activism was not a strategy designed to improve his electoral chances but a longstanding commitment to fighting injustice.\n\n“This is my life. My life is fighting for justice. This is what I've done my entire active years in the last 37 years or so. So it's not a strategy,” Sowore said.\n\nHe further argued that he could not ignore the difficulties facing Nigerians simply because the country was approaching another election.\n\nCiting the rising cost of petrol and the pressure of living expenses, Sowore questioned whether he should suspend his activism until after the polls while Nigerians continued to struggle with economic hardship.\n\n“As we're speaking this morning, you know the cost of gasoline, petrol. So am I going to just sit back and say, 'Oh, let's wait until the elections are over' before we fight to ensure that our people are not drowned by the cost of living?” he asked.\n\nSowore maintained that protests were a legitimate way to challenge policies and actions considered harmful to the public. However, he distinguished his personal commitment to activism from the political concept of using protests as a direct route to gaining power.\n\n“The fact is, a whole political strategy that is known as protest to power, but that's not my strategy, just so that you are clear,” he added.\n\nThe interview comes as political parties and their candidates prepare for the 2027 general elections, with economic hardship, insecurity, governance and accountability expected to feature prominently in political debates.\n\nSowore and Magashi used the appearance to discuss the AAC's proposed policies and programmes as the party continues to present its plans for the country's future.","excerpt":"“Well, it's not correct that I've not shown Nigerians enough of what I would do. As a matter of fact, I'm the only presidential candidate that has provided verifiable solutions to Nigeria's problems in written form, in digital format, and have spoken about it,” he said...","status":"published","published_at":"2026-10-14T05:19:31.879Z","meta":{"cover_image":"https://assets.helloworld.com.ng/soworenow/general/46d98662-6a99-4c0d-9caf-38d6f69380e0.jpg"},"created_at":"2026-10-14T05:19:31.879Z","updated_at":"2026-10-14T05:56:02.311Z","scheduled_publish_at":null,"seo_title":null,"seo_description":null,"og_image_file_id":null,"twitter_card":"summary","canonical_url":null,"robots_directive":null,"search_vector":"'2027':98C,241C,578C '37':384C 'aac':69C,155C,338C,604C 'abuja':116C 'accord':256C 'account':587C 'action':67C,510C 'activ':236C,261C,343C,379C,435C,523C 'ad':565C 'address':267C 'adequ':164C 'affect':272C 'african':66C 'ahead':95C 'alongsid':121C 'also':225C 'anoth':414C 'appear':109C,284C,600C 'approach':413C 'argu':243C,398C 'ask':497C 'attent':250C 'away':328C 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'year':380C,385C","type":"news","category":"general","source_name":null,"source_url":null,"is_breaking":false,"is_featured":true,"share_count":2,"client_id":null,"author_email":"popoolasulaimon46@gmail.com","engagement":{"like_count":17,"liked":false,"reactions":{"like":17,"love":0,"fire":0,"solidarity":0,"sad":0},"reaction_count":17,"viewer_reaction":null,"comment_count":8,"share_count":2}},{"id":"a649400c-27d1-44e9-bf17-67880e78c40b","user_id":"89cabeb3-4fd6-45c3-a0de-9457c1533943","title":"Sowore to feature on two breakfast programmes today, discuss political system, coastal highway controversy","slug":"sowore-to-feature-on-two-breakfast-programmes-today-discuss-political-system-coastal-highway-controversy","body":"\n\nAfrican Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore is scheduled to appear on two television and radio breakfast programmes on Tuesday, October 13, to discuss Nigeria’s political system and the controversy surrounding the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.\n\nSowore is expected to appear on News Central Television’s Breakfast Central at 7:00 a.m. West African Time (WAT), where the discussion will focus on the reported rerouting of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the concerns it has raised.\n\nHe is also scheduled to feature on The Morning Edition, a programme aired on Real 99.3 FM and streamed on The Real Media NG’s YouTube channel, at 8:05 a.m. WAT.\n\nThe topic for the second appearance is “Sowore vs the System”, which is expected to provide an opportunity to discuss the political system, governance and the challenges facing Nigeria.\n\nThe two appearances come amid growing public debate over government policies, infrastructure spending, accountability and the direction of the country.\n\nThe planned discussion on Breakfast Central comes amid controversy over the Federal Government’s handling of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.\n\nThe controversy followed statements by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, that President Bola Tinubu had directed that a section of the proposed highway should use the existing East-West Road from Ondo State into Edo State instead of constructing an entirely new alignment along that corridor.\n\nSowore’s appearance on The Morning Edition is expected to focus on the relationship between him and the political establishment, as suggested by the programme’s announced topic, “Sowore vs the System”.\n\nAs an activist, journalist and presidential candidate of the AAC, Sowore has consistently challenged Nigeria’s political establishment and called for fundamental changes in governance.\n\nHis participation in both programmes offers audiences an opportunity to again, hear his views on the country’s political direction and the ongoing debate over government decisions.\n\nThe interviews are scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, with Breakfast Central beginning at 7:00 a.m. WAT and The Morning Edition at 8:05 a.m. WAT.\n\nViewers can watch Breakfast Central on News Central Television’s YouTube channel and its listed television platforms, including DStv Channel 422, while listeners can tune in to Real 99.3 FM or watch The Real Media NG on YouTube for The Morning Edition.","excerpt":"The interviews are scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, with Breakfast Central beginning at 7:00 a.m. WAT and The Morning Edition at 8:05 a.m. WAT...","status":"published","published_at":"2026-10-13T05:16:54.527Z","meta":{"cover_image":"https://assets.helloworld.com.ng/soworenow/general/53daae69-beec-47e8-91fe-81a847c3a269.jpg"},"created_at":"2026-10-13T05:16:54.527Z","updated_at":"2026-10-13T23:24:27.717Z","scheduled_publish_at":null,"seo_title":null,"seo_description":null,"og_image_file_id":null,"twitter_card":"summary","canonical_url":null,"robots_directive":null,"search_vector":"'00':29B,94C,371C '05':38B,151C,380C '13':22B,63C,364C '422':403C '7':28B,93C,370C '8':37B,150C,379C '99.3':137C,411C 'a.m':30B,39B,95C,152C,372C,381C 'aac':44C,314C 'account':196C 'action':42C 'activist':307C 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the African Action Congress (AAC) senatorial candidate for Edo South, has outlined plans to establish a people's parliament, introduce open accounting for constituency funds, provide interest-free loans to small business owners and create a legal support system for residents if elected.\n\nOhwojeheri made the proposals while speaking on People's Power Space last Sunday, where he argued that Nigerians needed greater awareness of the responsibilities of their elected representatives, particularly senators and members of the House of Representatives.\n\nHe said public discussions about political leadership often focused more on presidents and governors, leaving the roles of lawmakers less understood.\n\n“You know, not much is said of senators, not much is said of House of Reps members, a little is said of governors, and much more is said of presidents,” he said.\n\nHe added that part of political education was helping citizens understand that senators could do more to address their needs. The AAC candidate said his proposed reforms would focus on creating a people's office in Edo South and establishing an open accounting system to promote public participation, transparency and accountability.\n\n<strong>People's parliament and public participation</strong>\n\nOhwojeheri said he planned to establish a local parliament where residents of Edo South could regularly meet, raise concerns and engage with their senator, even when the lawmaker was in Abuja attending to legislative duties.\n\nAccording to him, the proposed people's parliament would hold weekly, monthly or biweekly sessions, with proceedings livestreamed to enable wider public participation.\n\nHe argued that elected representatives should not claim to represent their constituents without maintaining regular communication and consulting them on issues affecting their communities.\n\n“Representing people, at least the people should be talking to you, abi? You should be interacting with the people, should be consulting with the people,” he said.\n\nThe candidate said the proposed platform would also serve as a channel for residents to present complaints and seek interventions on issues affecting them.\n\nHe further proposed that bills he intended to sponsor at the National Assembly should first be presented to the people's parliament in Edo South for discussion and public input before being submitted in Abuja.\n\n“If there's a bill that I am working on, it has to pass through that people's parliament at home before I can submit it in Abuja,” he said.\n\nOhwojeheri said the arrangement would make legislative representation more consultative and give constituents a direct role in shaping the lawmaking process.\n\n<strong>Candidate promises open accounting of funds and contracts</strong>\n\nThe AAC candidate also proposed an open accounting system under which his earnings, constituency funds and other public resources allocated to his office would be disclosed. He said residents should be able to distinguish between money meant for a senator personally and funds intended for constituency projects and other public purposes.\n\n“The one that is my own, I will publish it and say this is my own. The one that belongs to constituency, I will publish it and say this is for constituency,” he said.\n\nHe added that the transparency plan would extend to contracts awarded for projects in Edo South.\n\nUnder the proposal, the names of contractors, the companies involved and their owners would be made public whenever constituency projects were awarded.\n\nOhwojeheri said a public review period would also be introduced to allow residents to scrutinise proposed contractors and disclose possible conflicts of interest, including personal or family relationships with those awarded contracts.\n\nHe identified EdoSouth.com as the proposed online platform for publishing information about contractors, company ownership and projects carried out within the senatorial district.\n\nExplaining the thinking behind the proposal, he said he wanted to establish a system that would discourage corruption rather than depend solely on the personal integrity of whoever occupied the office.\n\n“The idea is that we depend too much on people. It's a good person will not steal. I want to depend on system. I want to be unable to steal, not just that I want to say I cannot steal,” he said.\n\n<strong>Proposes interest-free loans for small businesses</strong>\n\nOhwojeheri said the proposed people's office would also operate a loan scheme to support traders, small business owners and other residents seeking financial assistance. He said the AAC's position was that money allocated to lawmakers for constituency purposes should be reduced. However, if he could not secure an immediate reduction in such allocations, he proposed directing a portion of the funds towards an interest-free revolving loan scheme.\n\nHe suggested that as much as 75 per cent of the relevant funds could be channelled into the programme, although he did not provide a detailed funding framework during the discussion.\n\nUnder the proposed arrangement, beneficiaries would receive loans to support their businesses and repay them within an agreed period, allowing the funds to be made available to other applicants.\n\nOhwojeheri argued that the revolving nature of the scheme would enable more people to benefit over time than a system based entirely on one-off grants.\n\n“It doesn't make sense to me that everything should be grant. The benefit of loaning, because the money comes back,” he said.\n\nUsing a market woman as an example, he said the programme could provide ₦500,000, with the beneficiary required to repay ₦450,000 after six months. Under that example, the candidate suggested that the difference would amount to ₦50,000 in support for the beneficiary, while the returned funds could be used to assist another person.\n\nHe said the scheme would be interest-free and that beneficiaries who repaid their loans would be eligible to apply again.\n\n<strong>Plans legal aid and support for victims of oppression</strong>\n\nThe candidate also proposed establishing an anti-oppression service within the people's office to provide legal assistance to residents who could not afford to pursue cases through the courts. He said the programme would engage lawyers to handle complaints and represent people facing different forms of injustice.\n\nOhwojeheri estimated that employing 10 lawyers at ₦250,000 each per month would cost ₦2.5m. He argued that the proposed expenditure was manageable for a senator and could help provide legal support to residents who might otherwise struggle to afford lawyers. He said the lawyers could collectively handle numerous cases, potentially allowing the office to take up about 100 new cases monthly, depending on the workload and nature of the cases.\n\n“One of the reasons oppression continues to exist in Nigeria is that people cannot go to court because they cannot keep paying lawyers' appearance fee,” he said.\n\n“We are saying that we will pay on your behalf and your cases will be handled.”\n\nHe also proposed engaging police officers to support the initiative, with additional payments to supplement their salaries. According to him, the idea would be to make police support more accessible to ordinary residents rather than use security personnel primarily for the protection of political officeholders.\n\nHe gave the example of a woman who sells akara and faces intimidation or injustice, saying she should be able to approach the people's office for assistance.\n\nThe proposal, he explained, would seek to use the influence and resources attached to a senator's office to support citizens who might otherwise lack the means to defend their rights.\n\n<strong>Proposes free workspace and online marketplace for youths</strong>\n\nOhwojeheri also outlined plans to establish a virtual marketplace to connect Nigerian youths with international clients seeking digital and professional services. He expressed concern about Nigerian freelancers facing difficulties accessing international platforms, citing services such as Upwork and Fiverr as examples.\n\nHe said he had previously explored the idea privately and believed a platform supported by a Nigerian public institution could help connect local professionals with foreign customers. Under his proposal, the people's office would operate as an intermediary or escrow service, holding payments from clients until agreed work was completed. The arrangement, he said, would help build trust between international customers and Nigerian service providers.\n\nHe further proposed establishing a workspace with about 100 seats where qualified young people could work without paying for the facilities. Those who lacked the necessary skills could receive training, according to his plan. The candidate said the workspace would also provide a backup system for the online marketplace.\n\nIf a freelancer failed to complete an assigned job, he said, other qualified workers at the centre could step in to ensure the client received the service.\n\nHe described the proposal as a way to support youth employment, improve access to international opportunities and build confidence in Nigerian digital professionals.\n\n<strong>Includes counselling, cooperative system and dispute resolution</strong>\n\nThe candidate said the people's office would also house a counselling department to provide support for mental health and marriage-related concerns. He listed a community cooperative system and alternative dispute resolution among the proposed services.\n\nThe office, he said, would provide a place where residents could seek help in resolving disputes without necessarily resorting to prolonged legal battles.\n\nThe proposed services would complement the legal aid programme and other support mechanisms he outlined during the discussion.\n\nOhwojeheri said his broader aim was to make the senatorial office more directly useful to residents by bringing several forms of assistance under one structure.\n\n<strong>Proposes community-based security support</strong>\n\nOn security, the AAC candidate proposed supporting local vigilante groups and using technology to improve intelligence gathering within communities. He said the people's office could provide support to vigilantes and encourage residents to organise local security committees.\n\nHe also suggested the use of drones to gather information about security threats and share relevant intelligence with the police.\n\nAlthough he acknowledged that a senator did not occupy an executive position, he argued that the office could still support security efforts through community partnerships, information gathering and assistance to local security groups.\n\nOhwojeheri further proposed a reward system under which organised community security committees could receive benefits if their areas recorded no security incidents.\n\nHe said the objective was to encourage residents to take greater responsibility for the safety of their communities while working with relevant security agencies.\n\n<strong>Candidate says proposed office would limit opportunities for corruption</strong>\n\nOhwojeheri said the different programmes would require substantial funding, arguing that the resources available to a senator should be directed towards services that directly benefit constituents. He said the proposed people's office was intended to create a structure whose running costs would absorb funds that might otherwise be vulnerable to misuse.\n\n“The idea of this office is to make it so much that the expenses will be running into that 30 million that they are collecting,” he said.\n\nHe added that he wanted to establish arrangements that would continue to serve the people beyond his own tenure, rather than depend on the personal commitment of one officeholder.\n\n“So that even though it will pain me when I get to the office, let it pain me, but I will not see money to steal,” he said.\n\nThe candidate argued that his proposals would give residents greater access to their representatives, provide support for small businesses, expand legal assistance and create opportunities for young people.\n\nOhwojeheri's proposals form part of his pitch to voters in Edo South ahead of the 2027 general elections, with an emphasis on public participation, transparency and using legislative office to provide practical support for constituents.","excerpt":"He added that part of political education was helping citizens understand that senators could do more to address their needs. 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(AAC), Kayode Babayomi, has described Governor Seyi Makinde as a failure, accusing his administration of poor performance in the education sector and raising concerns over the number of out-of-school children in the state.\n\nBabayomi also criticised the governor's presidential ambition, describing it as a distraction from the challenges facing Oyo State and stating that it was intended to divert attention from issues surrounding Bimbo Adekanmbi, whom he described as Makinde's political surrogate.\n\nThe AAC chairman made the remarks in a post on his social media handles on Friday, where he expressed concern about the state of education in Oyo State.\n\nEmphasising the importance of education to societal development, Babayomi said Makinde had failed to uphold the state's motto, “Pace Setter,” particularly in the education sector.\n\n“We all believe that education is the bedrock of any society. Oyo State’s motto is ‘Pace Setter,’ and sadly, Seyi Makinde has set a pace in the wrong direction,” he wrote.\n\nHe accused the governor of failing to deliver the expected results in education, arguing that the situation was particularly disappointing given Oyo State's position as the largest state in the South-West.\n\n“It is disappointing that someone whose administration has failed to deliver the expected results in the education sector of the largest state in the South-West Nigeria, where people consider the most exposed region, is now pursuing a presidential ambition,” Babayomi stated.\n\nThe AAC chairman further described Makinde's presidential ambition as a distraction, adding that it was connected to efforts to divert attention from Adekanmbi.\n\n“Once again, his ambition is nothing but a distraction and a calculated cover-up for his political surrogate, Bimbo Adekanmbi,” he added.\n\nBabayomi stated further that some public schools in Oyo State lacked adequate classrooms, forcing pupils in different classes to learn in the same room. He said the situation raised questions about the quality of education available to children in the state and the learning conditions provided by the government.\n\nRecalling his previous interview with Agidigbo 88.7 FM in Ibadan, the AAC chairman said he had earlier drawn attention to the situation in some schools.\n\n“I said it on my last interview with Agidigbo 88.7 FM, Ibadan, that there are some schools where pupils of three classes maintain a single room block,” he wrote.\n\nGiving details of the classroom arrangement, Babayomi said pupils in Primary One, Primary Two and Primary Three sometimes faced different directions while receiving lessons in the same room.\n\n“Primary One pupils face the south, Primary Two pupils face the north, while Primary Three pupils face the west, all receiving lectures at the same time simultaneously,” he stated.\n\nHe argued that such conditions reflected the challenges facing basic education in the state and called attention to the need for better learning facilities.\n\nConcluding his criticism of the governor, Babayomi declared: “Seyi Makinde is nothing but a failure!”","excerpt":"“It is disappointing that someone whose administration has failed to deliver the expected results in the education sector of the largest state in the South-West Nigeria, where people consider the most exposed region, is now pursuing a presidential ambition,” Babayomi stated...","status":"published","published_at":"2026-10-10T00:49:49.978Z","meta":{"cover_image":"https://assets.helloworld.com.ng/soworenow/general/b5c2ce2a-fa67-4648-8001-5adb4d044fa0.jpg"},"created_at":"2026-10-10T00:49:49.978Z","updated_at":"2026-10-10T08:14:54.018Z","scheduled_publish_at":null,"seo_title":null,"seo_description":null,"og_image_file_id":null,"twitter_card":"summary","canonical_url":null,"robots_directive":null,"search_vector":"'88.7':406C,434C 'aac':9A,64C,142C,305C,411C 'accus':75C,228C 'action':62C 'ad':316C,350C 'adekanmbi':132C,327C,348C 'adequ':362C 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'wrote':226C,453C","type":"news","category":"general","source_name":null,"source_url":null,"is_breaking":false,"is_featured":true,"share_count":3,"client_id":null,"author_email":"popoolasulaimon46@gmail.com","engagement":{"like_count":28,"liked":false,"reactions":{"like":28,"love":0,"fire":0,"solidarity":0,"sad":0},"reaction_count":28,"viewer_reaction":null,"comment_count":2,"share_count":3}},{"id":"f58361d6-0877-4fb9-8bbc-6a5f07f45b58","user_id":"89cabeb3-4fd6-45c3-a0de-9457c1533943","title":"Sowore visits Ondo Air Force crash site, demands transparent investigation","slug":"sowore-visits-ondo-air-force-crash-site-demands-transparent-investigation","body":"\nThe presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has visited the site of the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, calling for a transparent investigation into the incident.\n\nSowore raised concerns about the procurement and maintenance of military aircraft, as well as compliance with aviation safety standards, insisting that Nigerians deserve to know what caused the crash.\n\nDuring the visit, he questioned the handling of the incident, particularly the emergency response, security of the crash site and steps taken to investigate the tragedy. He said the investigation should establish the condition of the aircraft before the crash, its maintenance records, how it was procured and whether the necessary safety procedures were followed.\n\nAt the scene, Sowore interacted with military personnel guarding the wreckage and sought information about efforts to secure the area and support the investigation.\n\nHe stressed that military aviation accidents must not be treated as ordinary incidents, adding that accountability and transparency are necessary to protect the lives of military personnel and restore public confidence in the country's security institutions.\n\nSowore was accompanied by AAC chieftains, including former Ondo State governorship candidate Kunle Ajayi, and Take It Back Movement activists led by the group's National Coordinator, Juwon Sanyaolu.\n\nThe visit comes amid concerns about military aviation safety and the need for greater accountability in the management of Nigeria's security institutions.\n\nThe Nigerian Air Force aircraft crashed on October 5, 2026, into a swampy area near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. The ATR-42 aircraft was reportedly on a military support and transit mission from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost radio communication and radar contact with it at about 9:13 a.m.\n\nThe crash occurred in a difficult-to-access mangrove swamp opposite the Naval Base, where the aircraft's wreckage was submerged in water and deep mud.\n\nRecovery efforts have been complicated by the thick mangroves, muddy terrain and murky water, which have made it difficult to deploy heavy recovery equipment.\n\nSpecialised swamp vehicles, flotation equipment, local divers and dredging tools have reportedly been deployed to help clear the area and support recovery operations.\n\nMore details shortly...","excerpt":"At the scene, Sowore interacted with military personnel guarding the wreckage and sought information about efforts to secure the area and support the 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action on issues affecting the people.\n\nAtenaga made the remarks during a programme on KU FM on Thursday, while discussing the presidential candidacy of Omoyele Sowore and the AAC.\n\nHe spoke alongside the AAC senatorial candidate for Edo South, Eseoghene Al-Faruq Ohwojeheri, while responding to a question about the perception that activists do not perform well in leadership positions, considering that many AAC leaders have backgrounds in activism.\n\nRejecting the claim, Atenaga described it as a false narrative, arguing that activism and good leadership are closely connected.\n\n“We can't actually have a good leader who is not an activist,” he said.\n\nAccording to him, activism involves speaking out and taking action on social issues, adding that leaders must remain vocal about challenges affecting the people even after assuming public office.\n\n“What does it mean to be an activist? To be vocal, right? To act, to take action about a particular social issue, or issues generally,” he said.\n\nHe explained that activism takes different forms, including political activism, human rights advocacy, animal rights campaigns and environmental protection.\n\nAtenaga argued that a president or governor who fails to speak out on issues affecting the people under their leadership cannot be considered a good leader.\n\n“So if you have a leader, the president of a country, the governor of a state, who is not vocal about issues that are affecting the people of the state, that person is not a good leader,” he said.\n\nHe added that leaders should not abandon activism after assuming office, stressing that they must continue to speak out and take action on issues affecting the people.\n\n“But the reason why we have this perception about activism is that we see activism as a full-time job, for instance. But activism is not a job,” he added.\n\nTo support his argument, Atenaga cited historical figures who combined activism with leadership, including former South African President Nelson Mandela, Ghana's first president, Kwame Nkrumah, and Congolese independence leader Patrice Lumumba. He also referenced former United States President Barack Obama, who worked as a community organiser before entering mainstream politics.\n\nAtenaga argued that these examples showed that activism should not be treated as a disqualification for leadership. He, however, clarified that activism alone does not guarantee good leadership, noting that other qualities are also necessary.\n\n“Activism is not a known criteria for good leadership. I said that every good leader has to be an activist, but there are other qualities that will come alongside,” he said.\n\nThe AAC supporter also criticised Nigeria's political leadership, arguing that the country's experience with former governors, vice-presidents and other former public office holders did not support the claim that experience in conventional politics automatically produces good leaders. He cited former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, as well as incumbent President Bola Tinubu, in making his argument.\n\nAtenaga maintained that Nigeria's political challenges should encourage citizens to look beyond conventional political experience when assessing candidates for public office.\n\nTurning to Sowore's candidacy, he described the AAC presidential candidate as a person with experience beyond activism, highlighting his background in journalism, education, media entrepreneurship and political organising.\n\nAccording to him, Sowore is an educator who has taught in universities in the United States, a journalist and the founder of Sahara Reporters.\n\nHe also highlighted Sowore's roles in establishing the Take It Back Movement and the African Action Congress, describing both as important platforms for political mobilisation and advocacy.\n\nAtenaga argued that these experiences demonstrated that Sowore had developed skills and experience in different fields that could contribute to his leadership ambitions.\n\nHe concluded by describing Sowore as more than an activist, saying, “To crown it all, he's beyond an activist, he's a revolutionary.”","excerpt":"He spoke alongside the AAC senatorial candidate for Edo South, Eseoghene Al-Faruq Ohwojeheri, while responding to a question about the perception that activists do not perform well in leadership positions, considering that many AAC leaders have backgrounds in activism...","status":"published","published_at":"2026-10-09T06:12:49.135Z","meta":{"cover_image":"https://assets.helloworld.com.ng/soworenow/general/35050683-4504-4d94-a51d-3b11362b62c2.jpg"},"created_at":"2026-10-09T06:12:49.135Z","updated_at":"2026-10-18T09:23:20.455Z","scheduled_publish_at":null,"seo_title":null,"seo_description":null,"og_image_file_id":null,"twitter_card":"summary","canonical_url":null,"robots_directive":null,"search_vector":"'aac':15B,46B,62C,113C,118C,149C,505C,597C 'abandon':335C 'abil':79C 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'work':429C","type":"news","category":"general","source_name":null,"source_url":null,"is_breaking":false,"is_featured":true,"share_count":6,"client_id":null,"author_email":"popoolasulaimon46@gmail.com","engagement":{"like_count":19,"liked":false,"reactions":{"like":19,"love":0,"fire":0,"solidarity":0,"sad":0},"reaction_count":19,"viewer_reaction":null,"comment_count":7,"share_count":6}},{"id":"47336db1-d4b2-495f-91e3-2c5b046ac168","user_id":"89cabeb3-4fd6-45c3-a0de-9457c1533943","title":"2027: Sowore unveils comprehensive security plan, proposes multi-level policing, social security reforms","slug":"2027-sowore-unveils-comprehensive-security-plan-proposes-multi-level-policing-social-security-reforms","body":"\n\nThe presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has unveiled a broad security plan built around multi-level policing, social protection, economic security and immediate action against killings, kidnappings and banditry.\n\nSowore disclosed the plan while speaking on Radio Nigeria in Abuja on Thursday morning, explaining that an AAC government would approach security beyond the traditional use of force.\n\nHe said security must cover the different needs of citizens, including national, economic, food and social security.\n\n“Our national security philosophy is built on architectural force, but ours is built on the philosophical understanding of a bunch of security needs of our people,” Sowore said.\n\nAccording to him, sustainable security cannot be achieved if citizens are struggling economically or if vulnerable members of society are not adequately protected.\n\n“You cannot have sustainable security without economic security, for instance, or social security, which is how you take care of the elders when they are done with work,” he said.\n\nSowore said security must therefore be approached from the standpoint of social justice, arguing that Nigeria's current security philosophy places too much emphasis on force.\n\n“Our own security as it is, national security philosophy today, is a violator of social justice,” he said.\n\nHe explained that his proposed security plan would begin with immediate action to stop the bloodletting caused by killings, kidnappings and banditry.\n\n“There must be immediate intervention to stop the bloodletting, all the killings, kidnappings, and banditry,” he said.\n\nSowore also proposed closer coordination among the country's security agencies, saying they must work together rather than operate independently or against one another.\n\nAs part of the plan, the AAC candidate proposed a decentralised policing structure that would operate at different levels of government and within communities.\n\n“I am in support of state policing. I'm in support of not only state policing. I want there to be state police, local government police, campus police, town police, city police,” he said.\n\nHe explained that the different police structures would work alongside the federal police, with the federal authority serving as overall supervisor.\n\nAccording to him, the arrangement would allow the federal police to intervene whenever any of the lower-level policing structures became rogue or failed in its duties.\n\nSowore, however, stressed that decentralising policings must not mean lowering professional standards. He proposed standardised training across the different police structures so that officers at the state, local government, campus, town and city levels would be properly equipped to carry out their duties.\n\n“There must be also a discussion about how they get paid,” he said.\n\nThe AAC candidate warned that poorly trained and poorly paid officers should not be given access to firearms and other weapons.\n\n“The most interesting thing you can do in any country is to hand over guns, weapons of any kind, to people who are poorly trained and poorly remunerated at the same time,” he said.\n\n“You will just be breeding formal criminals, and we don't need that.”\n\nSowore also linked security to the economic and social wellbeing of citizens, saying government must address the conditions that leave people vulnerable. He said social security should include adequate care for people after their working years, while economic and food security should form part of the country's broader national security strategy.\n\nHe argued that security should not simply mean protecting territory or deploying armed personnel but should also involve protecting citizens from economic hardship and social insecurity.\n\nOn the issue of homeland security, Sowore said his Pan-Africanist position meant he did not intend to place emphasis on the concept.\n\n“As Pan-Africanists, Africa is our home. So we cannot erect borders and fence out other African brothers and sisters,” he said.\n\nHe also called for an overhaul of the relationship between security agencies and citizens, saying reforms must address police brutality and other forms of abuse.\n\nHe said better training, proper remuneration, coordination and accountability would be necessary to prevent security agencies from becoming another source of insecurity.\n\n“We've had enough of police brutality and all forms of brutalizing of our people in Nigeria,” he said.\n\nSowore said his proposed approach would therefore combine immediate security intervention with reforms aimed at improving policing and addressing the economic and social conditions that affect citizens' safety.\n\nHe maintained that effective security must be rooted in social justice and must protect Nigerians not only from armed threats but also from the wider conditions that undermine their safety and wellbeing.","excerpt":"Sowore disclosed the plan while speaking on Radio Nigeria in Abuja on Thursday morning, explaining that an AAC government would approach security beyond the traditional use of force.","status":"published","published_at":"2026-10-08T11:27:03.664Z","meta":{"cover_image":"https://assets.helloworld.com.ng/soworenow/general/6d7bf30c-9924-431f-8f05-c6b8ebc6d6d2.jpg"},"created_at":"2026-10-08T11:27:03.664Z","updated_at":"2026-10-14T06:53:36.729Z","scheduled_publish_at":null,"seo_title":null,"seo_description":null,"og_image_file_id":null,"twitter_card":"summary","canonical_url":null,"robots_directive":null,"search_vector":"'2027':1A 'aac':32B,51C,95C,317C,475C 'abuja':25B,88C 'abus':691C 'access':489C 'accord':151C,390C 'account':700C 'achiev':158C 'across':434C 'action':49C,72C,259C 'address':557C,684C,751C 'adequ':172C,570C 'affect':758C 'africa':648C 'african':48C,661C 'africanist':631C,647C 'agenc':297C,678C,707C 'aim':746C 'allow':396C 'alongsid':378C 'also':288C,464C,543C,610C,668C,782C 'among':292C 'anoth':310C,710C 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the integrity of Nigeria’s elections.\n\nSowore made the call on Tuesday night while reacting to remarks by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, that staff of the electoral commission were the least paid in Nigeria.\n\nAmupitan had earlier raised concerns about the welfare of INEC personnel, saying the commission had taken steps to improve their working conditions.\n\n“INEC staff are the least paid in Nigeria. So, we felt if we want to demand and hold our staff responsible, we should give them a living wage,” the INEC chairman said.\n\nHe also disclosed that INEC had been removed from the civil service payment structure and would operate a separate electoral and salary structure as part of measures to improve the welfare of its personnel and address gaps within the electoral system.\n\nReacting to the development, Sowore said INEC workers must be adequately paid if they are expected to protect the credibility of elections.\n\n“Nigeria’s electoral workers must be well paid. INEC Nigeria staff cannot be expected to safeguard the integrity of our elections while being poorly compensated,” Sowore wrote in a statement posted on Tuesday night.\n\nThe AAC presidential candidate specifically proposed a minimum wage of ₦500,000 for INEC workers, saying decent pay was necessary for electoral integrity.\n\n“INEC Nigeria staff deserve a minimum wage of ₦500,000. Electoral integrity must begin with decent working conditions and a living wage for the people entrusted with administering our elections,” he said.\n\nSowore further warned that he could join INEC workers in boycotting the 2027 elections if their welfare concerns continued to be ignored.\n\n“If these workers continue to be treated with contempt, I will join them to boycott the 2027 elections,” he said.\n\nHe argued that INEC workers have the right to organise and demand better working conditions, including through lawful industrial action.\n\n“No decent wages, no credible elections!” Sowore declared, ending his statement with the hashtag #SOWORE2027.","excerpt":"Sowore made the call on Tuesday night while reacting to remarks by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, that staff of the electoral commission were the least paid in Nigeria...","status":"published","published_at":"2026-10-06T22:34:02.608Z","meta":{"cover_image":"https://assets.helloworld.com.ng/soworenow/general/8fbf3fae-0541-4f4b-9a77-b5db0b352649.jpg"},"created_at":"2026-10-06T22:34:02.608Z","updated_at":"2026-10-07T04:39:24.927Z","scheduled_publish_at":null,"seo_title":null,"seo_description":null,"og_image_file_id":null,"twitter_card":"summary","canonical_url":null,"robots_directive":null,"search_vector":"'000':4A,61C,277C,298C '2027':11A,333C,359C '500':3A,60C,276C,297C 'aac':267C 'action':49C,382C 'address':204C 'adequ':220C 'administ':316C 'african':48C 'also':170C 'amupitan':30B,102C,115C 'argu':364C 'begin':302C 'better':375C 'boycot':331C 'boycott':12A,357C 'call':16B,54C,88C 'candid':45C,269C 'cannot':243C 'chairman':27B,99C,167C 'civil':179C 'commiss':36B,69C,108C,128C 'compens':76C,256C 'concern':119C,338C 'condit':136C,306C,377C 'congress':50C 'contempt':351C 'continu':339C,346C 'could':326C 'credibl':229C,387C 'decent':282C,304C,384C 'declar':390C 'demand':2A,152C,374C 'deserv':292C 'develop':213C 'disclos':171C 'earlier':117C 'elect':84C,231C,252C,318C,334C,360C,388C 'elector':35B,68C,71C,107C,188C,208C,234C,287C,299C 'end':391C 'entrust':314C 'expect':225C,245C 'felt':147C 'gap':205C 'give':160C 'hashtag':396C 'hold':154C 'ignor':342C 'improv':133C,197C 'includ':378C 'independ':66C 'industri':381C 'inec':8A,26B,98C,124C,137C,166C,173C,216C,240C,279C,289C,328C,366C 'integr':80C,249C,288C,300C 'joash':29B,101C 'join':327C,354C 'law':380C 'least':39B,111C,141C 'live':163C,309C 'made':14B,86C 'measur':195C 'minimum':5A,57C,273C,294C 'must':73C,218C,236C,301C 'nation':67C 'necessari':285C 'nigeria':42B,82C,114C,144C,232C,241C,290C 'night':19B,91C,265C 'omoyel':51C 'oper':185C 'organis':372C 'paid':40B,112C,142C,221C,239C 'part':193C 'pay':283C 'payment':181C 'peopl':313C 'personnel':125C,202C 'poor':255C 'post':262C 'presidenti':44C,268C 'prof':28B,100C 'proper':75C 'propos':271C 'protect':227C 'rais':118C 'react':21B,93C,210C 'remark':23B,95C 'remov':176C 'respons':157C 'right':370C 'safeguard':78C,247C 'said':168C,215C,320C,362C 'salari':190C 'say':70C,126C,281C 'separ':187C 'servic':180C 'sowor':1A,13B,52C,85C,214C,257C,321C,389C 'sowore2027':397C 'specif':270C 'staff':9A,32B,63C,104C,138C,156C,242C,291C 'statement':261C,393C 'step':131C 'structur':182C,191C 'system':209C 'taken':130C 'threaten':10A 'treat':349C 'tuesday':18B,90C,264C 'wage':6A,58C,164C,274C,295C,310C,385C 'want':150C 'warn':323C 'welfar':122C,199C,337C 'well':238C 'within':206C 'work':135C,305C,376C 'worker':72C,217C,235C,280C,329C,345C,367C 'would':184C 'wrote':258C","type":"news","category":"general","source_name":null,"source_url":null,"is_breaking":false,"is_featured":true,"share_count":3,"client_id":null,"author_email":"popoolasulaimon46@gmail.com","engagement":{"like_count":32,"liked":false,"reactions":{"like":32,"love":0,"fire":0,"solidarity":0,"sad":0},"reaction_count":32,"viewer_reaction":null,"comment_count":12,"share_count":3}},{"id":"07d67858-6b78-40d6-9c5e-cd7187ff25ef","user_id":"89cabeb3-4fd6-45c3-a0de-9457c1533943","title":"‘A Sick Person Should Not Be Leading A Sick Country’ — Sowore Tells Tinubu","slug":"a-sick-person-should-not-be-leading-a-sick-country-sowore-tells-tinubu","body":"\n\nThe presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has accused President Bola Tinubu of being seriously ill, stating that the Presidency is covering up the severity of his health condition.\n\nSowore made the claim on Tuesday while speaking to journalists at the Federal High Court in Abuja after attending his court case.\n\nSpeaking about the ongoing legal proceedings, Sowore said the cases against him were intended to disrupt his political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, “So they asked us to take a date. It's not to them. We are the ones who were brought to court. We didn't bring ourselves to court,” he said.\n\nSowore said he had told those behind the case that the proceedings were a “waste of time”, adding that he believed they were designed to stop him from campaigning across the country.\n\n“But it will not work,” he said.\n\nThe AAC Presidential candidate then turned his attention to Tinubu's health, stating that the President is seriously ill.\n\n“As I said last time, something is eating this regime internally. You know, and part of it, I will restate again, is that the president is sick. President Tinubu is very sick,” Sowore said.\n\nHe stated that Nigerians had witnessed similar situations in the past involving former Presidents Umaru Yar'Adua and Muhammadu Buhari.\n\n“Anybody who is lying to Nigerians, we have seen these lies and cover-ups before with Yar'Adua, with Buhari,” he said.\n\nSowore also referred to Tinubu's return to Abuja from Lagos on Monday, saying the President needed medical attention, \"It is obvious. If you saw him the way he alighted from the plane yesterday when he came from Lagos, that man needs medical help, and the earlier they give him help, the better,” he said.\n\nTinubu returned to Abuja on Monday evening after spending six days in Lagos following his return to Nigeria from a working vacation in London and Paris. The Presidency said he engaged in several activities during his stay, including his Independence Day address and other official engagements.\n\nSowore further linked the President's reported health condition to the condition of the country, saying, “A sick person should not be leading a sick country.”\n\nHe added, “They are the ones who made this country sick, and the country is now making them sick too. It's reciprocity.”\n\nSowore also referred to an earlier occasion when, according to him, Tinubu was rushed back from Abuja to Lagos, questioning why the President was moved at the time.\n\n“So that you know that you heard it from me first. I think two weeks ago when he was, and they rushed him down. I said, why are you rushing him down? You want to kill him?” he said.\n\nHe added that Tinubu's subsequent public appearances in Lagos were aimed at preventing Nigerians from knowing the seriousness of his condition.\n\n“And then they took him to Lagos to go and be dancing, you know, just to prevent people from understanding the severity of his illness,” Sowore added.","excerpt":"“As I said last time, something is eating this regime internally. You know, and part of it, I will restate again, is that the president is sick. President Tinubu is very sick...\"","status":"published","published_at":"2026-10-06T19:11:58.868Z","meta":{"cover_image":"https://assets.helloworld.com.ng/soworenow/general/6b31be46-20f3-4ab4-ba1f-b5e35b3a30c7.jpg"},"created_at":"2026-10-06T19:11:58.868Z","updated_at":"2026-10-06T20:24:01.474Z","scheduled_publish_at":null,"seo_title":null,"seo_description":null,"og_image_file_id":null,"twitter_card":"summary","canonical_url":null,"robots_directive":null,"search_vector":"'2027':122C 'aac':196C 'abuja':94C,299C,349C,457C 'accord':449C 'accus':57C 'across':185C 'action':52C 'activ':118C,379C 'ad':173C,419C,509C,556C 'address':387C 'adua':264C,286C 'african':51C 'ago':484C 'ahead':119C 'aim':519C 'alight':320C 'also':292C,442C 'anybodi':268C 'appear':515C 'ask':127C 'attend':96C 'attent':202C,309C 'back':455C 'behind':162C 'believ':176C 'better':343C 'bola':59C 'bring':150C 'brought':144C 'buhari':267C,288C 'came':327C 'campaign':184C 'candid':48C,198C 'case':99C,109C,164C 'claim':81C 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political stage.\n\nSowore made the statement on Tuesday morning in a post on his social media handles, shortly after the #TinubuIsACriminal case at the Federal High Court in Abuja.\n\nThe AAC candidate was reacting to the controversy over petrol subsidy and other policy ideas, accusing them of suddenly embracing ideas they had previously opposed.\n\n“On the petrol subsidy matter, and other ideas, cheating is not allowed!” Sowore wrote.\n\nHe said Nigeria could not continue to recycle politicians who later adopted ideas they had earlier rejected.\n\n“Nigeria cannot continue recycling failed politicians who suddenly discover the ideas they once opposed,” he stated.\n\nSowore further argued that politicians who had already been given the opportunity to lead but failed should consider leaving the political stage.\n\n“If you have had your opportunity and failed, perhaps it is time to retire from the political stage,” he said.\n\nHe then called out Atiku, Obi and Tinubu, urging them and other politicians to take note of his position.\n\n“@Abubakar Atiku, Mr. Peter Obi Atiku Abubakar Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and others take note!” Sowore added.\n\nThe statement comes amid renewed political debate over petrol subsidy and competing claims surrounding economic policies and ideas for addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges.\n\nSowore has consistently criticised successive administrations over their economic policies and has promoted alternative approaches to tackling hardship and reducing the cost of living in Nigeria.","excerpt":"“Nigeria cannot continue recycling failed politicians who suddenly discover the ideas they once opposed,” he 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Christian Church of God’s National Thanksgiving Service at its headquarters in Ebute Metta, Lagos, where he later held a private meeting with the church’s General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye.\n\nSowore attended the service alongside the National Chairman of the AAC, Pastor Samuel Ajeigbe. The October thanksgiving service, themed “Acceptable Service,” was also attended by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, and other dignitaries. \n\nIn a series of posts on Sunday, Sowore said he attended the service following an invitation from the church and later met privately with Adeboye. According to him, the RCCG General Overseer offered to pray for him and told him that he had been following his activities.\n\n“He stated that he follows my activities religiously, expressed certainty that my path is honorable, and said he is confident of my triumph,” Sowore wrote.\n\nThe AAC prescandidate said the meeting was particularly significant because it was his second encounter with Adeboye at the same venue, 30 years after their first meeting. Sowore recalled that their first meeting took place in 1996, shortly after he completed his National Youth Service Corps programme, when he was involved in efforts against campus cultism and cult gangs.\n\n“Thirty years later, we met again at the same place,” he said, adding that he appreciated the warm reception from members of the church, as well as his private conversation and prayers with Adeboye.\n\nSowore, however, stressed that his attendance was not intended to promote a political agenda.\n\n“It is important to state that my visit was not intended to promote a political agenda,” he said.\n\nIn a separate post after the service, however, the AAC candidate presidential described the reception he received at the church as significant to his political message.\n\n“The Church of God is ready for the revolution!” Sowore declared.\n\nHe said he received a “warm and enthusiastic reception” after he was introduced to the congregation, adding that his message of “hope, justice, and national renewal” continued to resonate with people.\n\nLater on Sunday night, in another post, contrasting the reception he said he received with that of the Lagos State governor and his deputy. He wrote that the “people know the real opposition party—the African Action Congress,” and described himself as the candidate who had “consistently challenged the status quo.”\n\nAccording to Sowore, the response from the congregation was “cold” when Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat were called, while the crowd “erupted in joy” when he was introduced.\n\n“The fact that they found us today in a church, of all places, and immediately lost their minds tells you everything about how unsettled they are,” he added.\n\nSowore concluded that the reception showed that “the message is reaching everywhere.”","excerpt":"Sowore attended the service alongside the National Chairman of the AAC, Pastor Samuel Ajeigbe. The October thanksgiving service, themed “Acceptable Service...\"","status":"published","published_at":"2026-10-05T04:39:02.342Z","meta":{"cover_image":"https://assets.helloworld.com.ng/soworenow/general/d8df56d5-8021-4965-b8c0-3d755937977f.jpg"},"created_at":"2026-10-05T04:39:02.342Z","updated_at":"2026-10-06T08:25:16.245Z","scheduled_publish_at":null,"seo_title":null,"seo_description":null,"og_image_file_id":null,"twitter_card":"summary","canonical_url":null,"robots_directive":null,"search_vector":"'1996':226C '30':211C 'aac':22B,89C,191C,324C 'accept':31B,98C 'accord':143C,434C 'action':39C,419C 'activ':164C,171C 'ad':261C,368C,489C 'adeboy':3A,78C,142C,206C,282C 'african':38C,418C 'agenda':296C,312C 'ajeigb':25B,92C 'alongsid':16B,83C 'also':101C 'anoth':388C 'appreci':264C 'attend':13B,45C,80C,102C,128C,288C 'babajid':107C 'call':451C 'campus':244C 'candid':35C,325C,426C 'certainti':174C 'chairman':19B,86C 'challeng':430C 'christian':48C 'church':49C,72C,136C,272C,334C,342C,471C 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members and supporters of the party for a one-million-man march in Lagos as part of the party’s mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.\n\nThe march, which attracted a large turnout of AAC members and supporters, was held in Lagos with participants dancing, singing and chanting in support of Sowore, the Gubernatorial candidate, Engineer Adedamola Adesoca Sol-Nuyi and the party.\n\nSowore, who joined the procession alongside other party leaders and the AAC Lagos governorship candidate, was seen interacting with supporters as the march moved through the streets.\n\nThe AAC presidential candidate later described the atmosphere as “absolutely ecstatic” in a post on his X account, sharing video footage from the rally.\n\nIn the video, supporters could be heard repeatedly chanting, “You are a leader, vote for Sowore, vote for Sowore,” while dancing and singing during the march.\n\nThe event was organised as part of the AAC’s grassroots mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with the party seeking to strengthen its presence and support base in Lagos.\n\nSowore had earlier announced the planned march and called on members and supporters to converge in Yaba for the demonstration.\n\nThe Lagos march came a day after Sowore addressed journalists in Abuja following proceedings in his ongoing cyberbullying case at the Federal High Court.\n\nDuring the briefing, Sowore accused the regime of President Bola Tinubu of using the case to frustrate his political activities and restrict his ability to campaign across the country.\n\nHe, however, maintained that the court case would not stop him from pursuing his political ambition or mobilising Nigerians ahead of the 2027 elections.\n\nSaturday’s march forms part of the AAC’s wider mobilisation activities as political parties and candidates intensify their engagement with supporters and voters ahead of the 2027 elections.","excerpt":"The event was organised as part of the AAC’s grassroots mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with the party...","status":"published","published_at":"2026-10-03T19:52:05.277Z","meta":{"cover_image":"https://assets.helloworld.com.ng/soworenow/general/8b92f6f5-ee49-4597-9885-62f043af5464.jpeg"},"created_at":"2026-10-03T19:52:05.277Z","updated_at":"2026-10-05T04:50:35.785Z","scheduled_publish_at":null,"seo_title":null,"seo_description":null,"og_image_file_id":null,"twitter_card":"summary","canonical_url":null,"robots_directive":null,"search_vector":"'2027':1A,34B,78C,212C,323C,352C 'aac':5A,26B,89C,130C,147C,204C,332C 'abil':295C 'absolut':155C 'abuja':259C 'account':163C 'accus':276C 'across':298C 'action':46C 'activ':291C,336C 'address':256C 'adedamola':111C 'adesoca':112C 'african':45C 'ahead':31B,75C,209C,320C,349C 'alongsid':124C 'ambit':316C 'amid':15A 'announc':231C 'atmospher':153C 'attract':84C 'base':225C 'bola':281C 'brief':274C 'call':236C 'came':251C 'campaign':297C 'candid':42C,109C,133C,149C,341C 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