Sowore Condemns Labelling 1966 Coup As ‘Igbo Coup,’ Denounces Religious Exploitation In Nigerian Politics
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has strongly denounced the characterisation of the 1966 military coup as an “Igbo coup,” asserting that it is a false narrative designed to justify repeated persecution.
“Labeling a coup an ‘Igbo coup,’ when people from different tribes participated, is part of the falsehood laid down so that we can call a dog a bad name to hang it multiple times,” Sowore stated, highlighting the manipulation of historical events for divisive political purposes.
“When are we going to punish the Yorubas for the Yoruba coup or the Hausas for the Hausa coup or the Nupes for the IBB (Ibrahim Babamasi Babangida) coup or the people from Abacha’s tribe from Borno?” he asked.
“What is causing accidents on highways? Somebody got a contract 50 times to construct a road from here to Lokoja but embezzled the money and didn’t do it.”
He added, “Instead of jailing him, you buy olive oil, give it to some doctors to go to Lokoja junction and pour it on the ground to avert accidents instead of constructing the road.
“There is nobody that can avert that curse. The only person that can avert the curse on the bad road is caterpillar, bulldozers, and road construction people.”
Sowore also took aim at religious hypocrisy and its exploitation by political elites.
He criticised both Christian and Muslim religious leaders, accusing them of misleading their followers for political gain.
“If prayer works, Nigeria is not a place that is an example of an effective nature of prayer. This country is broken in every sector. This is a country where the highest number of people pray day and night,” he said.
According to him, religious sentiments were weaponised during the 2023 elections, with Muslims who initially supported President Bola Tinubu later turning against the government.
He noted that Muslims were the first to want to overthrow the government during the #EndBadGovernance protests.
“They were the ones buying Russian flags,” he said.
He further alleged that former President Muhammadu Buhari used religion to deceive Nigerians, particularly in the North, noting that “they used to call Buhari a man of the truth till he was done with them after eight years. There was no truth left in the North. He deceived everybody”.
Sowore also mocked the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for allegedly staging fake religious support.
Speaking on KaaTruths programme, Sowore questioned why only the 1966 coup was given an ethnic label while other coups were not similarly categorised.
Speaking further, Sowore criticised the Nigerian government for corruption and mismanagement, particularly in infrastructure development.
He also condemned reliance on religious rituals over practical solutions, stating that true remedies lie in actual construction and accountability.
Stating the reason why the party took that root, he said that “if they were to bring those number of bishops to their convention, they would have to pay millions and fly them in jets.
“They went to Dei Dei Market (in Abuja) and looked for some guys, put zucchettos on their heads, and called them bishops.”
He urged Nigerians to reject corrupt politicians and prioritise competence over religious or ethnic affiliations.
“Keep voting for thieves and you will still suffer. That is your problem. If you want to win elections by lying, keep voting for people who lie to you, who pretend that they are Christians and Muslims and that they do what you do.”
Sowore emphasised that true service to society comes from professionals such as doctors, teachers, farmers, and dedicated security personnel, noting that the “people who are called by God are doctors because if your wife cannot have a baby, they will help the baby come out—if they have light in the hospital”.
“Others are teachers who work day and night to teach so that you can have knowledge,” he continued.
“The farmers who grow a whole farm, eat a little and sell the rest to you, even on credit. The policeman who truly lays his life down so that you can sleep at night while he is awake with one gun hoping that he can kill all the armed robbers that are coming to your street, not those extorting money. Those are the people called by God.”
WATCH: Sowore Condemns Labelling 1966 Coup As ‘Igbo Coup,’ Denounces Religious Exploitation In Nigerian Politics. pic.twitter.com/swJUbqi8ms
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) March 16, 2025
