Sowore Omoyele Stephen

Omoyele Yele Sowore (born 16 February 1971) is a Nigerian politician, human rights activist, citizen reporter, writer, lecturer, and pro-democracy campaigner, known for founding the online news agency Sahara Reporters.

In August 2018, he founded the African Action Congress (AAC) party and ran as its presidential interested contender in the 2019 Nigerian general election. Sowore also ran for President in the 2023 Nigerian general elections.

On 3 August 2019, Sowore was arrested by the Nigerian State Security Service (SSS) for alleged treason after calling for a protest tagged #RevolutionNow. He was arrested again and assaulted during a protest in Abuja on 1 January 2021. Sowore was injured by a police officer during a protest in Abuja on 31 May 2021.

Sowore is from Ese-Odo, Ondo State in South West Nigeria. Born in the Niger Delta region (Ondo, Abia, and Imo States), he was raised in a polygamous home with sixteen children. At age 12, he learned to ride a motorcycle to fish for food to support his family before attending school.

His passion for media emerged during Nigeria’s military rule. He studied Geography and Planning at the University of Lagos (1989–1995), with his studies extended by two years due to political expulsions and activism. He served as President of the University of Lagos Student Union Government (1992–1994), advocating against cultism and corruption.

Sowore holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbia University. In 1989, he participated in student protests against an IMF loan, including a demand to reduce Nigeria’s university count from 28 to 5. In 1992, he led 5,100 students in a protest that resulted in police killings and his own arrest and torture. He was also involved in the 1993 struggle for democratic transition from military rule.

A journalist, Niyi Babade, notes Sowore’s role in the 12 June 1993 protests: ‘Sahara Reporters’ founder led students to MKO Abiola’s house, providing exclusive footage of the event. Sowore’s activism led to multiple arrests, detentions, and injuries from government violence.

On 12 January 2017, Sowore was arrested over a petition by Lekan Fatodu, later accusing police of assaulting him. He was detained by the DSS on 3 August 2019 for #RevolutionNow, charged with ‘conspiracy to commit treason and insulting President Buhari.’ Bail was granted on 24 September 2019, but the DSS refused release, sparking protests and global condemnation.

Sowore was released on 24 December 2019 after court orders. In December 2021, the Federal High Court ordered the DSS to pay 2 million Naira for unlawfully seizing his phone. In March 2022, he sued the Nigeria Police Force and others for human rights violations. In September 2024, he was detained at Murtala Muhammed Airport upon arrival from the U.S. for alleged protest planning, later released.

Sowore founded Sahara Reporters in New York (2006) to expose corruption, supported by grants from the Ford Foundation and Omidyar Network. The platform avoids Nigerian government funding. He announced his 2019 presidential bid in February 2018, founding AAC. After primary elections, he was unopposed as AAC’s candidate (October 2018). He toured globally for fundraising, including Luton, England (November 2018).

In the 2019 election, Sowore secured 14,608 votes, finishing fifth. Muhammadu Buhari (APC) won with 15,191,847 votes, and Atiku Abubakar (PDP) came second with 11,264,977. Other candidates included Fela Durotoye (ANN) and Kingsley Moghalu (YPP). Sowore announced his 2023 bid on 1 March 2022, running again as AAC’s candidate, polling 14,608 votes (described as a ‘selection’).

Sowore and his family reside in Haworth, New Jersey, U.S. In September 2021, his younger brother was killed by herdsmen or kidnappers in Edo State. In October 2019, a court barred him from traveling outside Abuja to attend his brother’s burial. Sowore’s wife, Opeyemi Sowore, has led protests globally over his detention.