JUST IN: Sowore Joins #OccupyNASS Protest in Abuja, Calls for ‘Electoral Revolution’
Former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, on Tuesday arrived at the National Assembly complex, Abuja, to join protesters demanding electoral reforms.
Sowore, who addressed supporters shortly after his arrival, said Nigeria’s political class could not reform itself, accusing elected officials of betraying the electorate once they assume office.
“Prepare to see the end of this political class. Nobody can reform them.
“Some of the people who voted for the removal of this particular section of the electorate were people who were with you, deceptively, in 2022 and 2023. The moment they entered that evil chamber, they switched seats. They forget you,” he said.
The activist urged Nigerians to remain united, insisting that the protest was part of preparations for future actions rather than a one-off demonstration.
“We are doing this when you see us. It’s not for the sake of protesting alone that I’m here. We are here to prepare for the nearest future,” he said.
Sowore further declared that sustained mass action would be necessary to achieve meaningful change in the country.
“Because we have to shut this country down. There’s no question about it. And you know I don’t lie about my position,” he stated.
He argued that elections alone could not resolve Nigeria’s challenges, calling instead for what he described as an “electoral revolution.”
“I don’t believe that elections by themselves can resolve Nigeria’s problems. It has to be an electoral revolution, or a revolution that brings about an election,” Sowore said.
Referencing past protests, Sowore recalled the 2012 Occupy Nigeria movement and the EndSARS protests of 2020, insisting that Nigerians were due for another round of mass mobilisation.
“When they wanted to come to power in 2012, they relied on Occupy Nigeria. When there was a need for change in 2022–2023, there was EndSARS. We are due for a completion of 2022.0 right now,” he said, adding that current living conditions were “even worse.”
Security operatives were seen monitoring the protest at the National Assembly, while demonstrators continued to chant solidarity songs and demand electoral reforms.
