Again, Sowore officially joins presidential race ahead of 2023

Unfazed by his first attempt to clinch Nigerian’s presidential seat which he lost, rights activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, has officially declared his intention to run for President in 2023, under the African Action Congress (AAC).

Sowore came sixth in the 2019 presidential election with 33,953 votes, ahead of Kingsley Moghalu, Fela Durotoye and other youths who rose to challenge the major political parties.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that the declaration ceremony of Sowore was ongoing in Abuja.

Meanwhile, it is not clear how Sowore intends to go about his presidential campaign, as his movement is currently restricted to the federal capital territory.

Sowore, who is a major critic of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, has endured multiple arrests from security agencies. He was picked up by the Department of State Services (DSS), in Lagos, in August, 2019, and moved to Abuja for prosecution.

READ ALSO: What I told Buhari on 2023 presidency – Tinubu

The activist was charged with treasonable felony, “insulting” President Muhammadu Buhari, and money laundering. Sowore was tried alongside Olawale Bakare.

In October, 2019, Sowore was granted bail by the Federal High Court, Abuja on the condition that he paid N100 million and provided two sureties who must be residents in Abuja and have landed properties in the federal capital territory.

Mrs. Ijeoma Ojukwu, the trial judge ruled that Sowore, after meeting his bail conditions, must not leave Abuja till the case is determined. The judge ordered him to deposit his passport with the court.

Sowore’s appeal against the October, 2019 ruling is still pending before the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

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