Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has defended his party’s request to hold the inauguration of its 2027 Presidential Campaign Council at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, arguing that opposition parties should have the same access to the facility as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Sowore spoke on Thursday at an event organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, saying the request followed the APC’s use of the Presidential Villa for political activities.
The AAC had written to President Bola Tinubu seeking approval to inaugurate its Presidential Campaign Council at the Villa ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We asked to use Aso Rock because the APC uses Aso Rock to do political party events. So we are saying, as a matter of right, since Aso Rock is our own, other political parties must be granted the opportunity to use Aso Rock the way APC uses Aso Rock,” Sowore said.
Beyond the venue, the party requested food, drinks and other logistical arrangements for attendees at the proposed inauguration scheduled for November 11, 2026.
In a letter dated October 21 and signed by the AAC National Secretary, Oshiokhai Ikpeminioghena, the party said its request was based on the principles of multiparty democracy, political inclusiveness and equal treatment of political parties.
The AAC argued that granting the request would demonstrate the Presidency’s commitment to fairness and affirm that public institutions should be accessible to Nigerians regardless of their political affiliations.
The request sparked a disagreement between Sowore and APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, who criticised the AAC candidate and questioned the party’s electoral strength.
Sowore maintained that the request was intended to secure equal access to the Presidential Villa. He also ruled out joining a proposed opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
“I don’t want to be part of your coalition because your rainbow coalition is going to die after 2027,” he said.
The AAC candidate also expressed concern over the economic and social challenges facing Nigerians, saying, “They have brought sorrow, and honestly, things are hard for the people of this country.”
