Reported by: Puis Althea | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The African Action Congress has demanded an immediate retraction and public apology from The Guardian newspaper over what it described as a false and misleading report suggesting that the party's registration is subject to litigation. In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, by its National Publicity Secretary, Rex I. Elanu, the party faulted The Guardian's July 14, 2026 publication titled "Opposition, candidates in turmoil as INEC nomination window closes," which listed the AAC among political parties "whose registrations remain subject to litigation." The party described the claim as "false, misleading and completely unsupported by the facts," insisting that there is no pending court case challenging either its registration or legal existence.
The African Action Congress, which has adopted human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher Omoyele Sowore as its consensus presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, expressed grave concern that the report could mislead the public and create unnecessary confusion among its members, supporters, and the electorate. The party's statement was unequivocal in its denial of any legal challenge to its status. "For the avoidance of doubt, the registration of the African Action Congress (AAC) is not subject to any litigation whatsoever. There is no pending legal action challenging the existence or registration of our party," the statement read. The party called on The Guardian to immediately retract the report, publish a correction with the same prominence as the original story, and tender an unreserved public apology.
The AAC further reminded the newspaper of its responsibility to uphold the principles of accuracy, fairness, and factual reporting, particularly on issues with significant political and legal implications. "Journalism must remain anchored on accuracy, fairness and truth, not speculation or careless reporting," the statement added. The party's demand for a retraction and apology comes at a critical moment in Nigeria's political calendar, as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission has already opened the nomination window for candidates, and any suggestion of legal uncertainty surrounding a party's registration could potentially undermine its ability to field candidates and participate fully in the electoral process.
The Guardian's report, which listed the AAC among parties whose registrations are subject to litigation, appears to have conflated the AAC with other parties facing legal challenges. In recent months, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the deregistration of five political parties, including the Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Accord Party, and Zenith Labour Party, following a ruling by Justice Peter Lifu. However, the AAC has maintained that it is not among the parties affected by any such order. The party has also been the subject of a separate legal challenge regarding the appropriateness of its name, with a plaintiff asking the court to declare that the name "African Action Congress" is inappropriate in the Nigerian context as it connotes continental coverage. However, the AAC insists that this does not constitute a challenge to its registration or legal existence.
The party's firm stance reflects its determination to present itself as a stable and credible alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress and the fractured opposition. Reassuring its members and supporters, the party maintained that it remains fully prepared to participate in the 2027 general elections and remains committed to its objective of addressing corruption, oppression, poverty, and poor governance in Nigeria. The AAC also stated that it would not be distracted by what it described as misinformation or propaganda, reiterating its commitment to building "a Nigeria founded on justice, equality, peace, progress and shared prosperity." The party urged Nigerians to remain steadfast, organise within their communities, and continue supporting the AAC as a platform for what it described as genuine political change.
The demand for a retraction and apology from The Guardian is the latest in a series of public statements by the AAC aimed at clarifying its legal and political standing. The party has been actively positioning itself as a revolutionary force in Nigerian politics, with Sowore's candidacy representing a continuation of his activist-driven approach to governance. The party's leadership has consistently emphasised its commitment to transparency, accountability, and popular participation, and any suggestion of legal uncertainty could undermine its efforts to build momentum ahead of the 2027 elections. The Guardian has yet to respond publicly to the AAC's demand, and it remains to be seen whether the newspaper will issue a retraction and apology. However, the AAC has made it clear that it views the report as a serious breach of journalistic standards and expects the newspaper to take corrective action.
As Nigeria's political landscape continues to evolve, the AAC's insistence on its legal legitimacy serves as a reminder of the importance of accurate reporting in shaping public perception and electoral outcomes. The party's call for accountability from The Guardian underscores the broader responsibility of the media to ensure that its reporting does not inadvertently undermine the democratic process. For now, the AAC remains steadfast in its claim that its registration is secure and that it is fully prepared to contest the 2027 elections. The party's leadership has urged its members and supporters to disregard the report and continue their efforts to build a political movement capable of delivering meaningful change. Whether The Guardian will accede to the demand for a retraction and apology remains to be seen, but the AAC has made its position unmistakably clear: its legal status is not in question, and it will not allow inaccurate reporting to cast doubt on its legitimacy.
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