‘Stand With Us’ — Sowore Rallies Supporters Ahead of Court Appearance

 

Human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has called on his supporters to stand in solidarity with him as he prepares to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday for the continuation of his trial.

In a statement released from the Kuje Correctional Centre, Sowore said he would once again appear before Justice M.G. Umar, describing the case against him as a “farcical trial” allegedly initiated by the Department of State Services (DSS) on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.

He alleged that the trial was intended to silence his revolutionary movement and suppress dissent.

Sowore urged his supporters and members of the Take It Back Movement to show solidarity by attending the court proceedings, supporting online, or standing with the movement from wherever they are around the world.

“Tomorrow, I will once again appear before Justice M.G. Umar at the Federal High Court in Abuja for the continuation of the farcical trial instituted by the lawless DSS on behalf of Tinubu,” he said.

Reflecting on his time in custody, Sowore expressed appreciation to his supporters, saying he was proud of those who had remained committed to the movement despite his detention.

“From the prison yards of Kuje, I cannot stop expressing how proud I am of our comrades everywhere who have remained steadfast, dealing successive blows against the retrogressive Tinubu regime,” he stated.

He maintained that neither his detention nor the ongoing court proceedings had weakened his resolve, insisting that his campaign for what he described as the liberation of Nigeria would continue.

Sowore is facing prosecution over alleged cybercrime and criminal defamation charges linked to social media posts in which he referred to President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal.” The case has continued to draw public attention amid debates over free speech and political expression in Nigeria.

‘I Can No Longer Continue in Good Conscience’ — Former AAC Governorship Candidate Resigns

Former African Action Congress (AAC) governorship candidate in the 2025 Anambra State governorship election, Chioma Ifemeludike, has resigned from the party, citing what she described as a departure from its founding principles of transparency, accountability, and internal democracy.

In a resignation letter dated June 27, 2026, and addressed to the National Chairman of the party, with copies to the National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC), Ifemeludike said her decision followed “careful reflection, extensive consultations, and a thorough assessment of the current state and direction of the party.”

She described the decision as difficult, noting that she had devoted significant time, commitment, and sacrifice to building the party and advancing the ideals upon which it was founded.

According to Ifemeludike, she joined the AAC because she believed in its vision of justice, accountability, internal democracy, and its promise of offering Nigerians a credible political alternative. She said she carried out her responsibilities with diligence and remained committed to the growth and unity of the party throughout her membership.

However, she stated that recent developments within the party made it increasingly difficult for her to remain a member in good conscience.

The former governorship candidate said her repeated calls for transparency, due process, proper vetting of candidates, strict adherence to the party’s constitution, and principled leadership were made to strengthen the party but were not given the attention they deserved.

“As someone who believes that political leadership must be anchored on integrity, accountability, and respect for democratic principles, I can no longer continue to associate with a system that, in my considered opinion, has departed from these core values,” she wrote.

Despite her decision to leave the party, Ifemeludike expressed appreciation to AAC members and supporters she worked with during her time in the party, thanking them for their dedication and wishing them success in their future political engagements.

She stressed that her resignation does not signal an end to her commitment to public service or her pursuit of justice, equity, good governance, and a better Nigeria.

“My resignation from the AAC does not mark the end of my commitment to public service or the pursuit of justice, equity, good governance, and a better Nigeria. I remain committed to contributing meaningfully to the advancement of our democracy and the welfare of our people,” she stated.

Her resignation takes immediate effect.