The Northern Ethnic Youth Group Assembly (NEYGA) has publicly called on Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, to respond to allegations that he received foreign funding to destabilise Nigeria. The group's demand follows a protest by a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) at the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja, where demonstrators petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies to investigate the activist over the alleged plot.
NEYGA Questions Sowore's Silence
In a statement signed by its national publicity secretary, Mallam Ibrahim Dan-Musa, NEYGA expressed concern over Sowore's lack of public response to the allegations. The group noted that similar accusations have surfaced against Sowore on previous occasions, making his silence particularly troubling.
"This is not the first time such serious allegations against Sowore are resurfacing. The persistence of these claims demands sober reflection. It is shocking and unacceptable that Sowore, who is known for reacting swiftly to every national issue, has chosen to keep quiet over an allegation of this magnitude," Dan-Musa said.
Accountability Standards at Stake
NEYGA argued that Sowore, as a prominent voice for transparency and accountability in Nigeria's political space, has an obligation to hold himself to the same standard he sets for public officials. The group emphasised that his silence undermines the very principles he advocates.
"Sowore should not behave like a dictator who believes he is above public scrutiny. By turning a deaf ear to these allegations, he is undermining the very principle of accountability that he always demands from public officers. He must come out clean," the statement added.
Security Agencies Urged to Investigate
Beyond addressing Sowore directly, NEYGA called on relevant security bodies to fulfil their constitutional mandate by conducting a thorough investigation into the claims. The group said such action was necessary to protect the peace and stability of the country.
As of the time of this report, Sowore had not issued any public response to the allegations. The CSOs' protest and petition add to the mounting pressure on security agencies to act on the matter.
