The 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has declared that Nigeria’s true independence begins today, contrary to the one achieved in 1960.
Sowore emphasized that the independence gained in 1960 was secured by the traditional political class, stating, “We are struggling for a new independence.” He made these remarks during the ongoing #FearlessInOctober protest in Ikeja, Lagos.
“Those who have made life miserable for our people deliberately— the looters, the corrupt cabals in the oil sector and other sectors— are the ones we are fighting against,” he said.
“Our independence starts now because the independence we got in 1960 was a struggle for them. We are now fighting for a new independence, continuing what we started in 2019 with Revolution Now, as we believe only a revolution can save this country,” he added when questioned by reporters about the reasons for the protest.
The human rights activist also called on the Federal Government (FG) to release the detained protesters from the #EndBadGovernance protests two months ago, as well as those from the #EndSARS protest in 2020.
“We are asking the Federal Government to release every detained protester, whether in Kaduna, Abuja, Katsina, or Kano. The Federal Government should release them today,” he stated.
Sowore warned, “If by the end of today, the FG does not release the #EndBadGovernance protesters and the #EndSARS individuals from 2020, we will inform you of the next line of action.”