ABUJA — Human rights activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore has launched a blistering attack on Nigeria’s political elite, accusing the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration of “subsidising their libidos” while simultaneously stripping away life-saving subsidies from the poor.
The critique followed the viral emergence of video clips showing Senator Adams Oshiomhole receiving a foot massage from an unidentified young woman aboard a private jet. Sowore argued that the incident is a symptom of a wider culture of lavish spending by politicians, funded by a national treasury that the government claims is too empty to maintain fuel and electricity subsidies.
‘Oshiomhole is Not Alone’
In the controversial footage, the Edo North Senator is not an isolated case, suggesting a pervasive culture of moral and financial excess among the ruling class.
“All Nigerian politicians are involved in activities that contradict the message of sacrifice for the nation,” stated a post on X.
The remarks have reignited a fierce debate over the perceived hypocrisy of the “Renewed Hope” agenda. Critics point to the irony of a government that has pushed the national debt past ₦152 trillion and allowed petrol to near ₦1,000 per litre while its leaders travel in luxury.
Lavish Lifestyles vs. National Hardship
The jab links the private lives of politicians to the broader economic hardship faced by the population, questioning why the burden of “patriotism” falls solely on the masses. This sentiment mirrors the viral “₦2,500 pepper and onions” video, where a young lady cried out, “We are dying!” while detailing the collapse of her purchasing power.
The contrast has become even more stark with recent reports of ₦3 billion being spent on luxury Toyota Prados for Sokoto LGA chairmen, a move that Professor Usman Yusuf described as prioritizing “elite perks” over fighting the hunger affecting 133 million Nigerians.
Legal and Moral Accountability
The comments coincide with several high-profile legal battles aimed at public officials:
- Wike’s Florida Petition: There is currently a petition with U.S. authorities regarding FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s alleged million-dollar Florida assets.
- Malami’s Remand: The arraignment of former AGF Abubakar Malami for allegedly shielding terror financiers has further emboldened activists to demand greater accountability.
- The ₦310m Police Fine: The judiciary has also begun signaling a low tolerance for impunity, as seen in the ₦310 million damages awarded against the police for the illegal detention of a lawyer in Delta State.
Political Silence
As of February 6, 2026, Senator Oshiomhole’s media team has remained silent on Sowore’s specific allegations. However, the viral nature of the video clips has ensured that the debate over elite lifestyle remains a central theme for the nationwide hunger protests scheduled for later this month.
