The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked the Federal Government to take what it called a “tough stance” against African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Omoyele Sowore, over his recent criticisms of President Bola Tinubu and Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Rivers APC chairman, Tony Okocha, in a statement on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, accused Sowore of spreading falsehood and attempting to incite Nigerians. He described such actions as “treasonable felony” and urged citizens to resist what he called a calculated attempt to undermine public trust in government.
“Spreading false news with clear intention to overreach or defame another’s character or integrity is unacceptable,” Okocha said.
“Attempting to incite Nigerians against the government with the crudity of style is treasonable felony. Any action capable of undermining public trust and potent enough to threaten Nigeria’s democracy, stemming from malice, is unacceptable.”
Sowore had recently referred to President Tinubu as a “criminal” and alleged that Wike used public funds to purchase expensive houses in Florida, United States.
Okocha dismissed the allegations as unsubstantiated, insisting they were part of a long pattern of what he described as Sowore’s “blackmail tactics.”
“In every democracy, criticism is welcome, but what Nigerians must reject are deliberate lies, propaganda, and attempts to defame under the disguise of activism,” he said. “Sowore has built his entire career on lies. His Sahara Reporters platform is notorious for publishing fabricated stories and half-truths, often used as tools for blackmail and extortion.”
The Rivers APC leader argued that Sowore’s record disqualified him from making allegations of corruption against others.
“These baseless allegations are nothing more than the bitter rantings of a man rejected by Nigerians at the polls and drowning in political irrelevance. What sane citizen of a country can refer to the highest office holder as a ‘criminal’?” Okocha asked.
He recalled that Sowore was charged by the police with forgery and false publication after circulating what was described as a fake police signal, as well as his ongoing trial for cybercrime and defamation. “His deliberate lies are aimed at inciting public unrest, sowing distrust and discord in institutions with the poisonous intention to destabilise Nigeria. A man standing trial for such grave offences ought to rein in himself,” Okocha said.
Referring to the 2019 #RevolutionNow protests, Okocha claimed that Sowore’s actions amounted to an attempt to overthrow a democratic government. “No genuine democrat calls for the violent overthrow of a legitimate government. Sowore’s actions then, and his continued incitement now, prove that he is more of an anarchist than a patriot,” he said.
Okocha maintained that Nigerians would only take allegations of corruption seriously if backed by evidence. “Provide cogent and verifiable facts leading to certain conclusions and we will escalate it. But this style of blackmail aimed at the jugulars of Mr. President and Minister Wike is dead on arrival,” he said.
The APC chairman also pointed to what he described as the achievements of President Tinubu and Minister Wike.
“President Tinubu is implementing his 10-point agenda under the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda.’ The economy is stabilising, the naira has gained strength against the dollar, and road infrastructure projects like the Lagos-Calabar expressway are on course. Nigerians should focus on these verifiable developments rather than Sowore’s antics,” he said.
