Omoyele Sowore, human rights activist and 2023 African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, has come under fire over his latest remarks about President Bola Tinubu.
It will be recalled that President Tinubu recently said his reforms have sounded the death knell on corruption in Nigeria.
Speaking to investors in Brazil on Tuesday, August 26, Tinubu said his reforms have made the Nigerian economy more competitive, boosted revenue, and strengthened the nation’s finances.
Tinubu said:
“It is necessary to emphasise here that the reforms I’ve embarked upon since I took over in Nigeria have been very impactful.
“I can beat my chest for that. It was initially painful, but today the result is blossoming. It’s getting clearer to the people. We have more money for the economy — no more corruption.
“We have the central bank governor here; you don’t have to know him before you get the foreign exchange you need.
“The speculators are out in our currency market. The door is open for business. Easy in, easy out.”
Since taking office in May 2023, Tinubu has introduced a raft of economic policies that have elicited mixed reactions.
The president unified Nigeria’s multiple foreign exchange (FX) windows to enhance forex market stability. Tinubu also ended the petrol subsidy regime, which he described as unsustainable and a stranglehold on Nigeria’s economy.
Reacting to President Tinubu’s claim in Brazil, Sowore, a critic of successive Nigerian governments, insisted that corruption is still a challenge in the country.
He wrote on his verified Facebook page, with an accompanying video of the president’s speech in Brazil:
“This criminal actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”
While a few internet users sided with Sowore, many Nigerians took exception to Sowore’s description of the president as “this criminal”.
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