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Omoyele Sowore

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Omoyele Sowore
Sowore in 2016
Born (1971-02-16) 16 February 1971 (age 53)
Ondo State, Nigeria
EducationUniversity of Lagos
Columbia University
Occupation(s)human rights activist, blogger, writer, lecturer
Websitesaharareporters.com https://aacparty.org/

Omoyele Sowore (born 16 February 1971) is a Nigerian human rights activist, pro-democracy campaigner, founder of online news agency Sahara Reporters,[1]

Early life and education

Omoyele Sowore is from Ese-Odo, Ondo State in South West Nigeria. Contrary to popular belief, Sowore is of Ijaw Apoi tribe and not the Ilaje tribe in Ese-Odo. Sowore was born in the Niger Delta region of the country where he was also raised in a polygamous home with sixteen children.[2] At 12, he learnt how to ride a motorcycle so that he could fish at the lake for the entire family before going to school every morning. Sowore's passion and desire in media was propelled during the military rule in Nigeria.[3]

Sowore studied Geography and Planning at the University of Lagos from 1989 to 1995 with his academic program extended by two extra years after being expelled twice for political reasons and student activism. He was the President of the University of Lagos Student Union Government between 1992 and 1994[4] where he was keenly involved in anti-cultism and anti-corruption advocacy. Sowore holds a Master degree in Public Administration from Columbia University.[5]

Career

Activism

In 1989, he took part in student demonstrations protesting the conditions of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan of $120 million to be used for a Nigerian oil pipeline. Among the conditions of the IMF loan were to reduce the number of universities in the country from 28 to 5.[6]

Sowore led 5,100 students in protest against the Nigerian government in 1992. The protest resulted in police opening fire and seven being killed. Sowore was arrested and tortured. Omoyele was also involved in the demand for democratic government taking over military rule in June 12, 1993. This resulted in several arrests, detentions and life threatening treatment by government officials.[7]

A renowned journalist Niyi Babade in his yet to be published memoir also acknowledge Sowore stride in the June 12 struggle, in his word “Unannounced they came out of an unmarked grey vehicle and saw the ugly scenes then opened fire on all of us. I spent some quality time in my resting place the gutter till I heard the song singing voices of the students of University of Lagos led by Yele Sowore ( now Sahara reporter ) heading to Abiola’s house, I crawled out of my hiding and tried to get an exclusive shot when the hoodlums among the students attacked me and wanted to confiscate my camera but with the heroic effort of Sowore I was spared and allowed to join them as one of the hoodlums and a journalist which then gave me unlimited access to exclusive footage of the day till we got to MKO Abiola’s house.” [8] 

Sawore is behind the brain about one of the biggest revolution to happen in the country on the 5-08-2019 in Abuja and Lagos with the revolution movement named; #RevolutionNow. The major aim of the revolution is to stage the biggest protest in removing the government of the day base on their corrupt practices. In his words he said, "This is just a rehearsal of what is going

to visit Nigeria in the next few weeks, months that we'll cause revolution in this country". And already some big wings in the opposition parties especially the PDP has accepted it as a new face to the country.

He was allegedly arrested by the DSS because of this planned protest. [9]

Sahara Reporters

Sowore started Sahara Reporters in a small room in Manhattan 2006 to fight against corrupt and wrong government practices.[5] Sahara Reporters is supported by grants donated by the Ford Foundation and Omidyar Foundation. As part of its policy, the medium does not accept adverts and financial support from the Nigerian government.[10]

Presidential campaign

On February 25, 2018, Sowore announced his intention to run for president in the 2019 Nigerian general election.[11] In August 2018, he founded a political party, the African Action Congress (AAC), for which he will run for in 2019.[12]

On October 6, 2018, following successful primary elections at the AAC's national convention, Omoyele Sowore emerged unchallenged as the Presidential Candidate for the party.[13]

Sowore in Luton

After touring many states in Nigeria, visiting dignitaries such as the Emir of Kano and Wole Soyinka, Sowore embarked on a fundraising tour around the world including Australia, the United States of America and the UK. He was in Luton (London) on the 10th of November, 2018.[1]

Sowore flouted debate rules of engagement through naming and shaming corrupt members of the opposition party.[14]

Election Result

Several candidates contested for the presidential seat but were defeated by Muhammdu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who polled 15,191,847 votes while his main contender, Atiku Abubabakar of the Peoples Democratic Party got 11,264,977 votes to come second.

However, Sowore, 48, came tenth with 33,953 votes ahead of other new entrants to the race like Fela Durotoye of the Alliance for New Nigeria, ANN, who polled 16,779, and Kingsley Moghalu of the Young Democratic Party, YPP, who garnered 21,886 votes.[15]

Notable Meetings

References

  1. ^ Spiegel, Brendan (2011-11-19). "From Safety of New York, Reporting on a Distant Homeland". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  2. ^ "Meet Omoyele Sowore, The Founder Of Sahara Reporters [Photos] - INFORMATION NIGERIA". INFORMATION NIGERIA. 2015-10-24. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  3. ^ "How I Started SAHARA REPORTERS In 2006 - US Based Founder, OMOYELE SOWORE Tells City People | City People Magazine". City People Magazine. 2017-05-29. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  4. ^ "Abiola: Sowore Protesting Annulment Of June 12, 1993 Election (Throwback Photos) - Politics - Nigeria". www.nairaland.com.
  5. ^ a b https://www.nigeriagalleria.com. "Omoyele Sowore (Saharareporters.com), Blogger, Writer, Lecturer, Human rights activist, Nigeria Personality Profiles". www.nigeriagalleria.com. Retrieved 2018-05-24. {{cite web}}: External link in |last= (help)
  6. ^ "How about a Nigeria governed by President Omoyele Sowore? - TheCable". TheCable. 2018-03-05. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  7. ^ "An analog brain cannot lead a digital youth population". Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  8. ^ "Omoyele Sowore: The Unsung 'Street' Hero of June 12 Struggle". Retrieved 2019-06-12.
  9. ^ "Omoyele Sowore reportedly arrested by DSS". MSN. 3 August 2019.
  10. ^ Shenon, Philip (2010-08-12). "Sahara Reporters: Uncovering Nigeria's Corruption". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  11. ^ Bada, Gbenga. "SaharaReporters publisher to contest against Buhari in 2019". Retrieved 2018-05-25.
  12. ^ Ebuzor, Chika. "N100,000 for corps members monthly- Omoyele Sowore". Pulse. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
  13. ^ "2019: Sowore emerges AAC presidential candidate". 2018-10-07. Retrieved 2019-06-28.
  14. ^ "YouTube". accounts.google.com. oak tv. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  15. ^ 2019 Election Result
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