African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore recently asserted that Nigeria has failed to establish itself as a functioning democracy. He shared this perspective during a guest appearance on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’ program this past Wednesday.
Sowore’s comments follow his release from the Kuje correctional facility. A Federal High Court in Abuja had granted him bail set at N200 million regarding accusations of defaming President Bola Tinubu.
Reflecting on the state of the country, Sowore argued that Nigeria experienced a transition to civil leadership but never reached true democratic status. He stated that the nation lacks foundational democratic principles, noting that the departure of the military left the country with a constitution created without public consensus.
Addressing the issue of free speech, he emphasized that constraints on expression must be governed strictly by legal statutes rather than the preferences of those currently in power. He maintained that citizens should have the right to challenge authorities, adding that his ongoing legal troubles are attempts by the state to penalize him despite the absence of a conviction.
