Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The African Action Congress (AAC) has announced that its national chairman and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has officially stepped down from the party’s top administrative position after being adopted as its consensus presidential candidate for the 2027 general election. The party announced Samuel Ajeigbe as the new national chairman in a statement on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, shortly after Sowore secured the presidential ticket through a unanimous endorsement during the party's primary in Abuja. “Omoyele Sowore has officially stepped down as the National Chairman of the African Action Congress,” the party stated. “The party hereby welcomes Samuel Ajeigbe as the new National Chairman of our great party.” The move separates the party’s administrative structure from Sowore’s presidential campaign, allowing him to focus on his ambition to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 election.
The adoption of Sowore as the consensus candidate was announced at the AAC presidential primary by Kayode Babayemi, chairman of the committee for the exercise. Speaking at the event, Babayemi said the decision reflects the party’s confidence in Sowore’s consistency in leadership and long‑term commitment to justice, freedom, and a truly democratic Nigeria. “I declare Omoyele Sowore as the consensus presidential candidate of the African Action Congress,” Babayemi said. “This decision reflects the confidence of the party in his consistency in leadership and long-term commitment to the struggle for justice, freedom and a truly democratic Nigeria.” Delegates and party leaders present at the exercise gave Sowore a unanimous endorsement, and he was presented with the party’s flag amid cheers from supporters drawn from different states.
Accepting the nomination, Sowore described the AAC as the only genuine opposition party in Nigeria, insisting that the party remains committed to offering Nigerians a credible alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He said the AAC was founded to build a “new Nigeria” free from corruption, insecurity and bad governance, and he commended party members for their commitment despite political pressure and economic hardship. “While some claim that there was no alternative to dictatorship, we declared RevolutionNow in 2019,” Sowore said. He also dismissed calls for a coalition with established political parties, maintaining that the AAC itself represents a coalition for revolutionary change. “One of the biggest questions asked of us is, are we not forming a coalition? We told them, we are the coalition. This is the coalition. You are the coalition, and we are the coalition,” he stated.
Sowore has formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, saying his decision is driven by what he described as the urgent need to “rebuild Nigeria’s political and economic system.” His renewed ambition, he said, is anchored on deep reforms in governance, accountability, and citizens’ welfare, insisting that successive administrations have failed to address core national challenges. He argued that Nigeria’s current political structure continues to produce poor leadership outcomes, adding that his campaign would focus on transparency, justice, and a complete overhaul of what he termed a “broken system.” The activist-politician also emphasised youth inclusion and civic participation, stressing that younger Nigerians must take a more active role in shaping the country’s political direction ahead of the 2027 elections.
During his speech at the primaries, Sowore criticised the ruling APC, accusing it of incompetence and attempting to manipulate public perception ahead of the 2027 elections. He dismissed claims that over 10 million APC members voted for President Bola Tinubu during the party’s presidential primary. “There is no way APC can have 10 million people as members,” Sowore said. “I can guarantee you that APC cannot boast of 10,000 members.” He also questioned why Nigerians would align with the APC which he blamed for many of the country’s current challenges. “Except Nigerians are mad. Who is going to join the party of kidnappers? Who is going to join the party of criminals? Who is going to join the party of the most incompetent people on the continent of Africa?” he asked.
The declaration has already stirred mixed reactions across political and civic spaces, with supporters praising his consistency and ideology-driven approach, while critics question his electoral viability in a highly competitive political landscape dominated by established political blocs. Political observers say Sowore’s decision to relinquish the chairmanship may allow the party to separate its administrative structure from his presidential campaign, a move that could strengthen the party’s organisational capacity as it intensifies preparations for the 2027 elections. The AAC had earlier fixed the cost of its expression of interest and nomination forms for the 2027 presidential election at N2.1 million, with a 50 per cent waiver for female candidates and free forms for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs). Sowore had publicly confirmed his intention to contest the 2027 election weeks before the primary. On Politics Today on Channels Television, he said Nigeria needed a complete departure from what he described as the “same failed political class.” When asked if he would run again, he responded: “Yes. We have our party primaries next week.” With his emergence as the consensus candidate, Sowore now positions himself as one of the few opposition figures challenging the APC’s hold on power in the 2027 election cycle.
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