Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, has stated that Nigerians cannot genuinely celebrate the country's 66th Independence Anniversary. This is because millions of citizens remain trapped in poverty, hunger, unemployment, and insecurity. According to Sowore, Nigeria cannot claim to have achieved true independence without freedom, dignity, justice, and equality for its citizens.
Sowore made these remarks in a post on X on Thursday, October 1, 2026, to mark Nigeria's 66th Independence Anniversary. He noted that although Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule in 1960, millions of Nigerians were yet to enjoy the fundamental benefits associated with independence. Sowore emphasized that the fundamental promise of independence, including freedom, dignity, prosperity, justice, and equality, remains unfulfilled for many Nigerians.
The human rights activist criticized the state of education, healthcare, and electricity in the country. He accused those entrusted with public resources of misappropriation and stated that Nigerians were not responsible for the challenges confronting the country. Instead, Sowore described Nigerians as hardworking, creative, and resilient. He attributed the country's problems to successive governments' failure to adequately utilize the country's human and natural resources.
Sowore maintained that the tragedy is that successive ruling establishments have squandered Nigeria's enormous human and natural wealth. He added that they demand endless sacrifices from those who have the least. The activist emphasized that Nigerians deserved more than ceremonial celebrations and promises. He argued that citizens should enjoy equal rights and what he described as "revolutionary justice."
According to Sowore, Nigerians deserve a country where workers can earn a living wage, access quality education and healthcare, and enjoy reliable electricity. He stated that they deserve a country where young people can build meaningful lives, farmers can work without fear, and no Nigerian is arrested, brutalized, or imprisoned simply for challenging those in power.
Sowore said the responsibility of his generation went beyond celebrating the independence attained in 1960. He described the task before their generation as redoing the independence. The activist called for genuine independence from corruption, oppression, poverty, injustice, ethnic manipulation, and religious bigotry. He emphasized the need to build a Nigeria that is genuinely independent, not just from colonial rule but from internal colonizers.
Sowore concluded by calling for a Nigeria that serves all citizens rather than a privileged section of the population. He urged Nigerians to demand a better country and not just celebrate with ceremonial events. The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress emphasized that Nigerians must build a country that works for everyone, not just a few.
Key points
- Nigerians cannot celebrate 66th Independence Anniversary due to poverty, hunger, unemployment, and insecurity.
- Sowore criticizes the state of education, healthcare, and electricity in the country.
- The activist calls for genuine independence from corruption, oppression, poverty, injustice, and ethnic manipulation.
