The African Action Congress (AAC), the political party of 2027 presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, has formally requested President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's approval to use the Presidential Villa in Abuja for its campaign council inauguration, arguing that public facilities should be accessible to political parties without discrimination.
The request was contained in a letter dated Wednesday, October 21, 2026, addressed to President Tinubu and signed by the party's National Secretary, Oshiokhue Philip Ikpeminoghena.
The party proposed November 11, 2026, as the date for the ceremony and requested food, drinks and other logistical support for participants.
The development follows President Tinubu's inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council at the State House Conference Centre on October 14, an event that drew criticism from some opposition figures over the use of government facilities for partisan political activities.
In its letter, the AAC argued that granting its request would demonstrate the Presidency's commitment to multiparty democracy, political inclusiveness and equal treatment of political organisations.
The party maintained that the Presidential Villa, as a public institution, should not be administered in a manner that provides preferential access to the governing party.
It also requested logistical arrangements comparable to those it said had reportedly been extended to the APC during a similar political engagement.
The AAC stated that its request was intended to test the principle of equal access to public institutions, irrespective of political affiliation.
The letter read in part:
“We believe that granting this request would demonstrate the Presidency’s commitment to fairness, equal access, and the principle that public institutions must serve all Nigerians without partisan discrimination.”
The party also asked the Presidency to provide details of the procedures and conditions required to secure approval for the proposed event.
Although the AAC referred to arrangements reportedly made available to the APC, its letter did not independently establish the extent of government-funded logistical support provided during the ruling party's campaign council inauguration.
The request comes one week after Tinubu formally inaugurated the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja.
During that ceremony, the President urged council members to demonstrate unity, discipline and commitment as they prepared for the 2027 presidential election.
He also stressed that campaign activities should not interfere with the administration's responsibility to govern the country.
The use of the Presidential Villa for the APC event subsequently became a subject of political disagreement.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticised the decision, describing the use of the seat of government for a party campaign activity as an abuse of public office.
Atiku argued that the Presidential Villa belonged to Nigerians collectively and should not be treated as a venue reserved for the political activities of the ruling party.
His criticism reflected broader concerns about the distinction between government institutions and party structures during election campaigns.
The AAC's latest request places that distinction at the centre of its demand for equal access.
By seeking permission to organise a similar event at Aso Rock, the party has asked the Presidency to clarify whether opposition political organisations can use the same government facility for comparable activities.
The request also raises questions about the administrative conditions governing political events at the Presidential Villa.
These include who may authorise such events, what security arrangements are required and whether logistical expenses are borne by political parties or public institutions.
However, the AAC's request does not establish that every political party has an automatic legal entitlement to use the Presidential Villa for campaign activities.
Any determination would depend on the applicable rules governing the facility, security considerations and the legal framework regulating the use of public resources.
The party has not announced that approval has been granted.
As of the time of reporting, there was no confirmed response from the Presidency accepting or rejecting the request.
The development comes as political parties intensify preparations for Nigeria's 2027 general election.
Sowore, a journalist and political activist, previously contested the presidency under the AAC platform in 2019 and 2023.
He has continued to advocate changes to Nigeria's political and economic systems while criticising the policies of successive administrations.
The AAC announced the establishment of its Sowore–Magashi Presidential Campaign Council earlier in October, identifying a national organisational structure intended to coordinate political activities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The council includes directorates responsible for policy development, grassroots mobilisation, communications, digital engagement, election operations, finance and legal compliance.
The party also named Abdullahi Usman as Director-General of the campaign council, with Juwon Sanyaolu serving as secretary.
Its earlier announcement means the November 11 proposal concerns a requested ceremony at the Presidential Villa, rather than the initial creation of the campaign structure.
That distinction is relevant because the AAC had already publicly announced the council before submitting its latest letter to President Tinubu.
The party's request is therefore focused on the venue and associated logistical arrangements for a proposed inauguration event.
The development also comes ahead of the APC's planned formal campaign launch in Kaduna on October 24.
With election preparations underway, questions about the use of government facilities and resources for political activities have become part of the wider public discussion.
The principle of equal political participation requires public authorities to administer applicable rules fairly, although the precise arrangements for access to particular government facilities may differ according to their official functions and security requirements.
For the AAC, the immediate issue is whether the Presidency will approve its proposed event under conditions comparable to those applied to the ruling party.
For the Federal Government, any response may provide clarification on the policies governing political activities within the Presidential Villa.
The party has indicated that it is awaiting a favourable response and information about the necessary approval procedures.
Until the Presidency communicates its decision, the proposed November 11 event at Aso Rock remains a request rather than a confirmed arrangement.
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