The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has dismissed Omoyele Sowore's request to use the Presidential Villa for a political event, describing the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate as a “skit maker” and questioning his electoral credibility ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Basiru made the remarks on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, during an appearance on Channels Television's Politics Today, following the AAC's formal request to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for permission to inaugurate its Presidential Campaign Council at Aso Rock, Abuja.
The APC official argued that Sowore's request was not a serious political proposition but an attempt to make a public statement.
“Sowore is a skit maker. You know, he's my friend. We all of us were in the trenches as students,” Basiru said, referring to their involvement in student activism.
He challenged Sowore to demonstrate his political relevance by securing electoral representation at the state level before expecting his presidential ambition to be taken seriously.
“Let him struggle to even get a seat in the House of Assembly as a politician, and then people will begin to take him seriously,” he added.
Basiru also questioned the electoral strength of the AAC, citing its performance in the 2023 general elections.
According to him, the number of rejected ballot papers in that election exceeded the votes received by Sowore's party.
He used the comparison to argue that the AAC lacked sufficient electoral support to be considered a significant contender.
The assertion was part of Basiru's political criticism and should not be interpreted as an independent assessment of Sowore's eligibility or right to contest elections.
The controversy followed a letter dated October 21, 2026, in which the AAC requested permission to hold its Presidential Campaign Council inauguration at the Presidential Villa on November 11.
The letter, signed by the party's National Secretary, Oshiokhue Philip Ikpeminoghena, was addressed to President Tinubu.
In addition to seeking access to the Presidential Villa, the AAC requested food, drinks and other logistical support for approximately 5,000 participants expected to attend the proposed event.
The party argued that its request was consistent with the principles of multiparty democracy, political inclusiveness and equal treatment of political organisations.
It referred to arrangements reportedly made for the APC during the inauguration of Tinubu's Presidential Campaign Council at the State House earlier in October.
According to the AAC, public institutions should serve Nigerians without partisan discrimination, regardless of the political affiliation of those seeking access.
The opposition party maintained that granting its request would demonstrate the Presidency's commitment to fairness and equal access.
It also asked to be informed of any applicable procedures and conditions governing the use of the facility.
Basiru, however, rejected the political argument advanced by Sowore's party.
During the television interview, he suggested that Sowore was aware that the request was unlikely to receive approval.
He also described the AAC candidate as a comedian, maintaining that his political activities should not be regarded as a serious challenge to the ruling party.
Despite his criticism, Basiru acknowledged their previous association during the period of student activism.
His remarks focused primarily on Sowore's electoral record and the APC's assessment of the opposition party's political strength.
The dispute has raised questions about the use of government facilities for partisan political activities, particularly when the ruling party has access to venues within the seat of government.
The AAC's position is that public facilities made available for political engagements should be accessible under fair and transparent conditions.
Basiru's response, by contrast, questioned the seriousness of the request and the political standing of the party making it.
However, the APC official's comments do not constitute a formal presidential decision on the application.
The authority to approve or reject the proposed use of the Presidential Villa rests with the relevant government authorities, rather than with Basiru acting in his party capacity.
As of the reports available on October 22, there was no confirmed official response from the Presidency approving or rejecting the AAC's application.
The disagreement comes as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Sowore, a human rights activist and publisher, previously contested Nigeria's presidential election on the AAC platform and has continued to participate in opposition politics.
His party's latest request has brought renewed attention to the relationship between political competition and access to public institutions.
The controversy also illustrates the increasingly confrontational exchanges between representatives of the ruling APC and opposition figures as the next presidential election approaches.
While Basiru has questioned Sowore's political credibility, the AAC maintains that its request concerns equal treatment of political parties and the use of public facilities.
The Presidency has yet to publicly clarify whether the proposed November 11 event will be permitted at Aso Rock.
Until an official decision is communicated, Basiru's dismissal of the request remains a political position rather than a formal government determination.
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