Sowore slams National Assembly, calls opposition ‘feeder parties’

Prominent human rights activist and political figure, Omoyele Sowore, has sharply criticized Nigeria’s National Assembly, asserting that the legislative body “doesn’t do checks; they only balance their interests.”

Speaking on a ChannelsTV Rubbin Minds, Sowore also cast doubt on the authenticity of most opposition parties in Nigeria, labelling them as “feeder parties” or “special purpose vehicles” created by major political actors.

Sowore’s comments came during a discussion on the shift of the Democracy Day address to the National Assembly and the recurring “on your mandate we shall stand” anthem played for the President.

He stated that the National Assembly opted for this venue as it is “their favorite ground because National Assembly doesn’t represent of course now any kind of opposition to the government.”

He expressed no surprise at the display, noting that “Nigerians generally They would support anything terrible if there’s something to benefit from it.” He cited historical examples of political sycophancy from military regimes to past civilian administrations, where individuals and groups, including the Nigerian Bar Association, allegedly praised leaders even amidst rights violations.

The activist, who has run for president twice under the African Action Congress (AAC), painted a bleak picture of Nigeria’s multi-party system. He claimed that, in meetings with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), “there’s no opposition party except us in those meetings.”

He alleged that most remaining parties “are always in alliance with the government,” having been “created by the major parties” to serve as legal challengers or to fragment opposition votes.

“Most of the opposition you see and you call opposition they created it so as to give you the impression that there’s opposition,” Sowore asserted.

He specifically called out the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labor Party, stating, “The last time the Labor Party I would say is the worst when it comes to we go to meetings with them… they’ve always been very excited about belonging to the in fact that’s why I refer to the Labor Party as a short rental.”

He added that “most of people that went to Labor Party saw an opportunity they were coming from either PDP or APC they walked in there grabbed and then the moment they had the you know the goodie bag they went back to where they’re coming from.”

Similarly, for the PDP, he noted that their representatives in meetings are “always Yes sir Yes sir you know that there’s no and you this what they do in meetings with INC and in those meetings that we have that they also they also doing now publicly so there’s no there’s no ideological difference.”

Sowore distinguished his own party, AAC, by stating, “we’re small compact but we don’t have money we don’t have the connections to do the wrong things that they do.”

He argued that genuine activism differs from partisan politics, implicitly criticizing those he views as opportunists who joined the struggle for personal gain. He emphasized his ongoing fight against repression, noting, “I still went to prison a few weeks ago My passport is still in possession of Nigerian state I still have to deal with repression I still have to be beaten up on the streets of Akure as of June 12th 4 days ago.”

He maintained his stance that he would reject, and even sue, if offered a national honor, viewing it as inappropriate from a government he believes has “robbed Nigerians of mandates of their dignity.”

Sowore concluded by urging Nigerians to actively fight for their future rather than waiting for a “messiah,” echoing Professor Wole Soyinka’s concern that “majority of Nigerians find freedom in enslavement.”