Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria — Human rights activist and pro-democracy campaigner Omoyele Sowore has declared his intention to contest Nigeria’s presidency in the 2027 general election, saying he plans to challenge the re-election bid of Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Sowore said his main priorities would include solving the country’s long-standing electricity shortages, improving national security, and reducing unemployment if he is elected to lead Africa’s most populous country.
Okay News reports that the activist made the remarks during a discussion in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, over the weekend. He said his political ambition remains strong and emphasised that his engagement with national issues continues even outside election periods.
Sowore previously ran for president under the African Action Congress (AAC), a Nigerian political party that positions itself as an anti-corruption and reform-focused movement. He contested the presidency during the 2019 Nigerian general election and again during the 2023 Nigerian general election, campaigns that focused heavily on governance reforms, youth empowerment and accountability in public institutions.
During the conversation, Sowore argued that Nigeria’s electricity sector would be the central focus of his administration if elected. According to him, reliable power supply is the foundation for economic transformation and industrial development in the country.
“The whole idea of energy is what will bring about an industrial revolution in this country. If we get power right, we can tackle unemployment, boost GDP and address insecurity,” he said.
Nigeria has struggled for decades with unstable electricity supply, forcing households and businesses to rely heavily on diesel and petrol generators. Economists and business leaders often cite the country’s power shortage as one of the biggest obstacles to economic growth and industrial expansion.
Sowore, who also founded Sahara Reporters, an online investigative journalism platform that focuses on governance and corruption issues in Nigeria, said the availability of reliable electricity would stimulate industrial activity and help create jobs for millions of Nigerians.
He also criticised the current administration’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, the policy framework introduced by President Tinubu after taking office in May 2023. According to Sowore, the direction of the government’s policies has not yet produced meaningful improvements in the daily lives of Nigerians.
The activist added that Nigeria requires a new generation of leadership capable of confronting the country’s long-standing economic and security challenges with fresh ideas and stronger political will.
Sowore said his continued involvement in political advocacy and civic campaigns reflects his commitment to presenting Nigerians with an alternative leadership option ahead of the 2027 general election, when voters across the country will choose a new president, members of the National Assembly and other public officials.
Beyond electoral politics, Sowore has remained active in public advocacy campaigns and citizen mobilisation efforts that focus on transparency, accountability and democratic reforms in Nigeria.
Political observers note that his activism and his media platform have helped shape public debate about governance and democratic participation in the country over the past decade.
As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 election cycle, Sowore’s declaration signals the early stages of what could become a competitive political contest in Africa’s largest democracy.
