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| Omoyele Sowore Speaks on National Issues |
Omoyele Sowore laid out a harsh verdict on Nigeria’s president on April 29, 2025. He spoke live on Crown FM’s KABENKO show in Ile-Ife, Osun State . His central claim was clear: Tinubu’s team has failed on security, infrastructure, economy, society and politics.
He said officials work in the dark while citizens fight in the light. He called out mass arrests, roadblocks and secret deals. He painted a stark picture of a country slipping backward under new leadership.
Sowore began with safety. He blamed the government for rising attacks by jihadists and bandits. He noted the Boko Haram threat has grown this year. A Reuters report found at least 48 people died in recent raids in Adamawa and Borno states . Photos show burnt homes and armed patrols.
In response, Abuja named Maj-Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar to lead the fight in the northeast . Yet experts warn the move may be too little, too late. The new commander is the 15th in charge since 2009. Attacks keep shifting into rural towns and along major highways.
Security analyst Dr. Amina Yusuf says the insurgents use drones and IEDs now. She argues that poor troop morale and weak logistics hamper any pushback. She urges fresh training, better pay and real community policing to turn the tide.
Next, Sowore turned to the cost of daily life. He said prices have soared beyond reach for many families. Official data shows headline inflation was 24.23% in March 2025, up from 23.18% in February . Food inflation ran even higher, pushing more Nigerians below the poverty line.
On jobs, he blamed mass youth unemployment for driving crime and restlessness. The National Bureau of Statistics adopted a new method early this year. It put unemployment at 4.3%, with underemployment at 9.2% . Yet many observers say real joblessness may be far higher.
GDP growth has been modest. The IMF projects 3.0% GDP growth in 2025, with consumer prices up 26.5% . The World Bank gives a 3.6% growth outlook. Many argue these gains mask deep slumps in agriculture and manufacturing.
Economist Chibuike Chukwu says policy tweaks on fuel subsidy and forex must pair with fresh investment. He sees potential in agriculture, tech and small business if the government can clear red tape and curb graft.
Sowore highlighted mass protests this spring. Videos show young Nigerians marching in Lagos, Rivers and Abuja. They demand relief from high transport fares and rising food costs . Police fired teargas in some towns.
He said these protests prove the people will no longer accept empty promises. Supporters chant “Take It Back!”, echoing Sowore’s own 2020 movement. A PUNCH report captured scenes of tension near national landmarks .
Human rights groups warn that heavy-handed police tactics risk backfiring. They call for dialogue and social support. They say violence only deepens mistrust and fuels more unrest.
On roads and power, Sowore said Nigeria’s grid is in “coma.” He recalled how, decades ago, Saudi royals came to Ibadan for health care. Today, many Nigerians travel abroad for simple surgeries. He called local hospitals “dilapidated” and “unsafe.”
Electricity remains erratic in many cities. Officials report average power use at 4–5 hours a day. Rural areas see near-total blackouts. The federal government has launched road projects, but potholes and floods still close major routes.
Civil engineer Ngozi Nwosu notes that many funds go missing en route to contracts. She urges open bidding and clear project tracking. She says poor planning and graft keep good roads from lasting more than a few years.
Sowore did not spare politics. He said the Not Too Young To Run law of 2019 is just paper. It lowered age limits for office, yet offered no real support for young candidates . He argued the elite block all real change.
He called out senators earning N30 million monthly while students face debt traps in a new loan scheme. He called it a “hanky-panky game” to keep voters in check.
Press Secretary Bayo Onanuga of the presidency has not yet addressed these broad accusations. He did say earlier that Tinubu is focused on reform and that tough moves may take time before yield clear results .
Expert Views
Dr. Amina Yusuf (Security): says better troop support and smart local patrols key to curb jihadist threats.
Chibuike Chukwu (Economy): calls for subsidy reform paired with new investment in tech and farming.
Ngozi Nwosu (Infrastructure): urges transparent bidding and oversight to fix roads and power.
Their views echo Sowore’s call for a more open and accountable government. They agree on one point: citizens need to see fast, real gains.
Critics of Sowore say he likes dramatic claims. They point to early gains: federal revenue rose 15% in Q4 2024 after subsidy removal. They note a return of foreign investors eyeing oil and gas projects. They credit Tinubu for lifting naira controls and engaging with the IMF.
Yet even supporters admit the reforms have real costs. They say inflation spikes and fuel shortages hurt daily life. They warn that without stronger social safety nets, anger will grow.
Nigeria now stands at a crossroads. Will the government listen? Can leaders bridge the gap between elite policy and people’s lives? Or will distrust deepen and unrest spread?
How do you see Tinubu’s first year? What reforms matter most to you? Share your thoughts below. Let’s talk.