Sowore Questions Okonjo-Iweala’s $2.4bn Subsidy Fraud Claim, Demands Evidence

Sowore has demanded evidence identifying those responsible for the alleged subsidy fraud and clarifying its connection to the kidnapping.

Human rights activist and AAC presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has questioned the evidence behind World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s account that efforts to uncover an alleged $2.4 billion oil subsidy fraud were linked to the kidnapping of her mother in 2012.

In a post on social media, Sowore demanded clarification on the individuals and companies allegedly involved in the fraud, as well as the investigations, audit reports and prosecution records arising from the case.

He questioned what became of the money and whether the authorities identified those responsible for the alleged fraudulent subsidy claims during Okonjo-Iweala’s tenure as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance.

Okonjo-Iweala recently recounted the incident during an interview with Bloomberg’s Francine Lacqua, explaining that her efforts to investigate suspicious claims under Nigeria’s fuel subsidy programme preceded threats against her and the abduction of her mother, Kamene Okonjo, in December 2012.

According to the account published by TheCable, Okonjo-Iweala said her office became concerned after noticing a sharp increase in claims submitted by petrol importers. She said she raised the issue with then President Goodluck Jonathan and sought approval to audit the accounts.

In his response, Sowore challenged the connection between the alleged subsidy fraud and the kidnapping, asking what verifiable evidence established that the abduction was retaliation for the investigation.

He also criticised Okonjo-Iweala’s book, Fighting Corruption Is Dangerous: The Story Behind the Headlines, arguing that it did not adequately identify those responsible for the alleged fraud or explain what happened to the money.

The book, published by MIT Press in 2018, recounts Okonjo-Iweala’s experiences confronting corruption during her time in government, including the kidnapping of her mother. Its publisher describes the abduction as linked to opposition to reforms led by the former finance minister, particularly efforts to tackle fraudulent oil subsidy claims.

Sowore further questioned the police account of the kidnapping, alleging that police records and judicial proceedings pointed to the involvement of individuals connected to the victim’s household and family environment. He argued that these claims should be examined alongside Okonjo-Iweala’s account rather than accepted or dismissed without evidence.

He also criticised Bloomberg interviewer Francine Lacqua, arguing that the claims required more scrutiny during the interview.

The activist’s post has brought renewed attention to two separate but related questions: the extent to which fraudulent claims affected Nigeria’s fuel subsidy programme and the evidence linking the alleged fraud investigation to the kidnapping.

While the publisher’s account of Okonjo-Iweala’s book supports her position that the kidnapping was connected to opposition to anti-corruption reforms, the specific identities of those responsible for the alleged $2.4 billion fraud and the precise evidentiary link between the fraud investigation and the abduction require examination of relevant official records.

Sowore has called for answers on the companies and individuals implicated, the outcome of investigations and any evidence establishing a direct connection between the alleged fraud and the kidnapping.

AAC Rejects Tinubu’s 30-Day Fuel Discount, Demands Full Subsidy Restoration

The African Action Congress has called for full fuel subsidy restoration, describing the Federal Government’s 30-day petrol discount as temporary relief.

The African Action Congress (AAC) has rejected the Federal Government’s 30-day petrol discount, describing it as a temporary measure that fails to address the hardship Nigerians have faced since the removal of fuel subsidy.

In a press statement dated October 8, 2026, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Rex I. Elanu, the party said Nigerians had endured rising fuel prices, increased transport fares, hunger and a high cost of living for more than three years.

The AAC argued that the government’s latest intervention offers only temporary relief instead of addressing the underlying economic challenges facing citizens.

The party reiterated its position that its presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has consistently advocated the restoration of full fuel subsidy as a welfare policy to make petrol affordable. It also called for the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s petroleum refineries.

According to the AAC, the government should prioritise permanent relief and policies that protect citizens from the effects of market-driven fuel prices, rather than introducing short-term discounts.

“The Tinubu government cannot continue to impoverish Nigerians and then offer them a 30-day discount as political charity,” the statement said.

The party maintained that Nigerians deserve affordable fuel and an economy that prioritises their welfare, concluding its statement with its slogan, “AAC! Take It Back!”F

Sowore Accuses Tinubu of Making Dangote and His Allies Richer Through Economic Reforms

Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies after Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, thanked the President for removing fuel subsidies and implementing foreign exchange reforms.

Sowore argued that the policies have benefited wealthy business interests while increasing economic pressure on millions of Nigerians.

Responding to Dangote’s remarks, Sowore said the reforms were implemented in a way that allowed Dangote and other business associates of the government to become richer while ordinary Nigerians faced higher living costs.

“That is not governance. It is a PADI PADI GOVERNMENT, a government of friends, by friends, and for friends,” Sowore wrote in a statement shared on social media.

Sowore also criticised the removal of the petrol subsidy, arguing that Nigerians were made to bear the impact through higher fuel prices.

He further questioned the distinction between fuel subsidies and other forms of government support to businesses, including tax concessions, waivers, preferential foreign exchange arrangements and access to public land and infrastructure.

“They tell Nigerians that subsidy is evil, but what do they call tax concessions and waivers for billionaires? SUBSIDY,” he said.

Sowore also alleged that the Dangote Group benefited from significant government support in the development of its refinery before the subsidy was removed.

He described the situation as “economic apartheid” and argued that Nigeria’s natural resources and economic wealth should benefit the wider population rather than a small group of wealthy individuals and their allies in government.

Sowore also used the statement to promote his political agenda ahead of the 2027 elections, saying a government led by him would restore fuel subsidies under what he described as a transparent and accountable system.

His comments came after Dangote praised Tinubu’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy and reform the foreign exchange market, highlighting the contrasting positions of the businessman and the opposition politician on the government’s economic policies.

Atiku: I Will Restore Targeted Fuel Subsidy If Elected President

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has reiterated his commitment to restoring a targeted fuel subsidy if elected president in the 2027 general elections.

Atiku said his position on subsidy had not changed, arguing that Nigeria, despite its economic challenges, has enough resources to protect citizens from excessive hardship.

“On the question of subsidy, my position has not changed and will not change: I will restore it,” Atiku said.

According to him, the strength of an economy should not be measured solely by how much revenue government generates, but by the purchasing power of ordinary citizens.

He said his administration would prioritise restoring value to workers’ wages, reducing the burden of transportation on farmers and making essential goods more affordable for Nigerian families.

“I want wages to have value again. I want farmers to move produce without transport swallowing their profits. I want families to fill their baskets without emptying their pockets. I want businesses to produce, employ and prosper,” he said.

Atiku argued that rising fuel prices have a ripple effect across the economy, particularly through transportation and food prices.

“When fuel rises, transport rises. When transport rises, food rises. When food rises, families suffer,” he said.

The former vice president said he would seek to break what he described as a cycle of rising costs that has placed Nigerians under increasing economic pressure during the nearly four years of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Atiku, however, stressed that his proposed subsidy policy would be targeted and would not amount to a return to what he described as an import racket.

“I will support Nigerian production, reduce energy costs and restore purchasing power. I will not restore the import racket; I will restore relief,” he said.

He reiterated the position on Tuesday while receiving members of the Osun State leadership of the ADC in Abuja.

Atiku said his economic agenda would focus on making the naira in Nigerians’ pockets more valuable, reducing the cost of living and improving economic and physical security.

“Economic security. Physical security. A better life for every Nigerian,” he said.

His latest position comes as the 2027 presidential race continues to gather momentum, with opposition parties and candidates presenting different approaches to the country’s economic challenges and the removal of fuel subsidy.