Sowore Fires Back: Aso Rock Belongs to All Nigerians, Not Just Ruling Party!
Omoyele Sowore, AAC's presidential candidate, has clarified his party's application to use Aso Rock for their campaign inauguration. He emphasizes equal access for opposition parties, criticizes the political establishment for prevailing economic hardship, and expresses skepticism about the proposed opposition coalition, predicting its collapse after the 2027 elections.
Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC), has provided a comprehensive explanation regarding his party's decision to apply for the use of Aso Rock for the inauguration of his presidential campaign council. Sowore firmly asserted that opposition parties in Nigeria should be granted the same access and privileges to public facilities that are currently enjoyed by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking at an event organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Sowore elaborated that the AAC's application was a direct consequence of his belief in equitable treatment for all political entities. He highlighted that since the APC frequently utilizes the presidential seat of power, Aso Rock, for its own political activities, other parties, including those in opposition, should inherently be allowed to do the same. Sowore underscored that Aso Rock is a national asset belonging to the Nigerian populace, and as such, should not be exclusive to any single political group. He explicitly stated, “We asked to use Aso Rock because the APC uses Aso Rock to do political party events. So, we are saying, as a matter of right, since Aso Rock is our own, other political parties must be granted the opportunity to use Aso Rock the way APC uses Aso Rock.”
Beyond the issue of facility access, Sowore also addressed the ongoing discussions surrounding a potential opposition coalition. He unequivocally dismissed the notion of his party joining such an alliance, expressing a strong conviction that any proposed