Sowore Says Nigeria Has Yet to Achieve True Independence at 66

African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has said Nigeria has yet to fulfil the promises of independence for millions of its citizens, citing poverty, insecurity, unemployment and poor access to basic services.

Sowore made the remarks in an Independence Day message as Nigeria marks its 66th anniversary, arguing that political independence must be accompanied by freedom, dignity, justice and equality for citizens. Recent reports also identify him as the AAC presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

He said Nigerians could not fully celebrate independence while many citizens remained trapped in what he described as poverty, hunger, unemployment, insecurity, inadequate electricity and hopelessness.

Sowore also criticised the state of education, healthcare and workers’ wages, while accusing public officials entrusted with government resources of corruption.

He argued that Nigeria’s challenges were not caused by a lack of capacity among its citizens, describing Nigerians as hardworking, creative, resilient and resourceful.

According to Sowore, successive governments had failed to properly utilise the country’s human and natural resources while demanding sacrifices from citizens.

He called for what he described as “revolutionary justice,” saying Nigerians deserve a country where workers earn living wages, education and healthcare are accessible, electricity is reliable and young people have opportunities to build meaningful lives.

Sowore also criticised what he described as abuses of power, saying no Nigerian should be arrested, brutalised or imprisoned simply for challenging those in authority.

He said Nigeria’s task was not only to celebrate the independence achieved in 1960 but to build what he described as a genuinely independent country free from corruption, oppression, poverty, injustice, ethnic manipulation and religious bigotry.

The AAC candidate also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy.

Sowore argued that the policy had worsened the cost of living, transportation and food prices and said Nigerians had been pushed further into poverty and economic hardship.

He said the struggle for a truly independent Nigeria remained ongoing.