ABUJA — Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has issued a scathing rebuke of the emerging opposition coalition, vowing never to align himself with political figures he holds responsible for the country’s current plight.
In a statement that has reverberated through Nigeria’s political circles, Sowore specifically named former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, and former SGF Babachir Lawal as individuals he would never sit across from in a political alliance.
“They Were Killing This Country”Â
Sowore’s rejection of the coalition is rooted in what he describes as the “destructive” roles these individuals played during the previous administration.
“You can’t see me in an opposition with a Babachir Lawal, El-Rufai or a Malami,” Sowore declared on Friday, February 13, 2026. “These are guys that were killing this country as recently as two years ago.”
The activist argued that many of those currently seeking to form a new coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) platform were the same individuals who served in former President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet—a group he believes should be facing legal consequences rather than organizing for power.
The “Coalition of Thieves” Allegation
Sowore has consistently criticized the credibility of the current opposition movement, describing it as a “coalition of mega fraudsters” and “thieves fighting thieves”.
Key figures he has singled out include:
- Abubakar Malami:Â Whom Sowore accused of violating human rights and looting the treasury during his time as Minister of Justice.
- Nasir El-Rufai:Â Whom he accused of overseeing the massacre of Shiites and fueling religious conflict in Southern Kaduna.
- Babachir Lawal:Â Whose history is marked by the notorious “grass-cutting” scandal during his tenure as Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The 2027 Power Struggle
The rift between Sowore and the broader opposition comes at a critical time as political heavyweights like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi explore a “mega party” to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
While El-Rufai and Malami have recently intensified their criticism of the Tinubu administration—with El-Rufai warning that another term for the APC would “endanger the country’s future”—Sowore maintains that they are merely “fair-weather friends” who will return to the ruling party the moment they are offered what they want.
“Organizing to Take Power”
Despite his refusal to join the existing coalition, Sowore emphasized that 2026 is a pivotal year for activists shifting from protest to political power. “We are not organizing just to get tear gas anymore,” he stated. “We are organizing to take power from those who don’t know what to do with it.”
As of February 13, neither El-Rufai nor Malami—the latter of whom is currently facing significant legal challenges from the EFCC—has directly responded to Sowore’s latest verbal broadside.
