The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Ajibola Basiru, and the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, have engaged in a war of words following the opposition party’s request to inaugurate its presidential campaign council at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The disagreement followed Basiru’s comments during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, where he described Sowore as a “skit maker” and “comedian” while questioning his political relevance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The AAC had written to President Bola Tinubu seeking approval to hold the inauguration of its presidential campaign council at Aso Villa on November 11, 2026.
In a letter dated October 21, 2026, and signed by the party’s National Secretary, Oshiokhai Ikpeminioghena, the party also requested food, drinks and other logistical support for participants expected at the event.
The party argued that granting its request would demonstrate the Presidency’s commitment to multiparty democracy, political inclusiveness and equal treatment of political parties.
However, Basiru dismissed the request, insisting that Sowore should demonstrate his political strength at the grassroots before expecting to be taken seriously.
He also referred to the AAC’s performance in the 2023 presidential election, claiming that rejected ballot papers received more votes than the party.
Sowore subsequently responded through his X handle, recalling his longstanding relationship with Basiru during their student activism days in the 1990s when they opposed military dictatorship.
The AAC candidate shared a photograph he said was taken in 1998 when he led the Congress of Progressive Youths, noting that both men had participated in the struggle against military rule.
Sowore criticised Basiru for describing his political activism as entertainment, arguing that the fight for justice, democracy, freedom and human dignity should not be dismissed as comedy.
He also accused the APC national secretary of abandoning the principles they once defended during their activism, attributing the change to the privileges associated with political office.
Sowore maintained that political appointments were temporary and that the current administration would eventually leave office, while the struggle for freedom and democratic values would continue.
The disagreement has brought renewed attention to the AAC’s request to use the Presidential Villa for its campaign council inauguration ahead of the 2027 elections.
As of the time of reporting, the Presidency’s response to the AAC’s request had not been established.
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