On Monday, March 16, Omoyele Sowore, an activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), called Chief Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Igboho, a “nuisance” and claimed that the incarcerated Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader is superior to the Yoruba activist.
Recall that Sunday Igboho, while addressing his fans in a viral video, expressed his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election, threatening that no presidential candidate, including Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, would be permitted to campaign in Yorubaland.
Sowore, the founder of the African Action Congress (AAC), challenged Sunday Igboho directly in an address to journalists, daring him to confront him at one of his rallies or campaign events.
According to Sowore, figures like Igboho are frequently utilized to scare residents who oppose perceived injustices.
While speaking at a demonstration in Aba, Abia State, in support of Kanu and demanding his release from jail, Sowore declared that it is heresy to Sunday Igboho to Nnamdi Kanu.
“Kanu is significantly superior to Igboho. I don’t know Igboho very well, but I’ve always maintained his style of politics is what they call Amala politics in Oyo State – it’s chop and chop,” Sowore added.
Sowore, who queries why the president is afraid of public rallies despite having the support of 33 state governors, adds that Sunday Igboho would soon realize that he will be in the hall of infamy.
In a similar vein, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Igboho, rejected human rights activist and former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore’s statements on transactional politics and activism on Tuesday, according to a statement issued by his media aide.
According to Igboho, his advocacy for enhanced security in the South-West, as well as his support for President Bola Tinubu’s potential second term run in 2027, are his inalienable constitutional right.
He also remarked that his efforts are solidly anchored in supporting the collective interests of the Yoruba people and promoting Nigeria’s general growth.
He also slammed Sowore for purportedly referring to his activism as “amala politics” in a recent viral video circulating on social media, rejecting the remark as insignificant and undeserving of public notice.
The statement read:
“We strongly reject the characterisation of Igboho’s activism as transactional. Such a myopic position misrepresents the intent and focus of our agitation on effective grassroots security in the South-West, and Nigeria as a whole.“
“How many protests did Sowore organise to push for my freedom? Sowore’s claim of fighting for the masses contradicts his daily lodging expenses of N450,000 at a popular Lagos hotel.“
“I cannot be compelled to endorse political figures such as Peter Obi or Atiku Abubakar, or even align with Sowore’s political platform. I have the right to make independent political decisions based on the security and collective interests of the Yoruba people.”
The statement further emphasised that Igboho’s advocacy prioritises tackling insecurity across Yorubaland, which it said is characterised by persistent violence, including the killing of farmers, kidnappings along highways, and attacks on traditional rulers and royal institutions.
Koiki clarified that these concerns underpin Igboho’s movement, rather than any ambition for political office or revolutionary leadership.
The statement continued: “While Sowore has consistently promoted nationwide revolution as a pathway to leadership, Igboho’s approach is rooted in protecting lives, land, and property within Yoruba territory.“
“This agitation is a vivid response to real and ongoing threats faced by communities in the region. Latest security incidents in Northern Nigeria, including reported explosions in Maiduguri as of yesterday, 16 March 2026, call into question the broader effectiveness of long-term revolutionary advocacy.“
“We challenge Sowore to assess the situation in his home state of Ondo, considering growing cases of banditry, kidnapping, and attacks on rural communities.“
“The impacts on vulnerable groups, including farmers, traditional rulers, women, and children, are massive, just as several communities have reportedly suffered destruction.“
“These realities reinforce Igboho’s long-standing call, dating back to 2020, for localised security measures and stronger regional protection strategies.“
“Labelling our agitation and noble efforts as ‘amala politics’ undermines the urgency of the security crisis and the legitimacy of grassroots agitation”.
However, a check by WITHIN NIGERIA discovered that Omoyele Sowore and Sunday Adeyemo Igboho had a history of disagreement most likely due to opposing ideologies.
Prior to categorizing Igboho’s activism as “Amala politics,” suggesting opportunism and transactional motives, it is noteworthy that Omoyele Sowore did not spearhead any protests against Sunday Igboho’s detention or the attacks by DSS operatives on his residence, a deviation from Sowore’s established reputation for orchestrating protests against perceived human rights abuses.
Numerous individuals have ascribed Sowore’s silence or absence of vocal support over the assaults on Igboho’s apartment by DSS operatives, as well as his two-year imprisonment in Benin Republic, to ideological disparities. Sowore, an activist, argues for a national revolution and decent government, whereas Sunday Igboho prioritizes regional security and the Yoruba’s secession from Nigeria.
Some ascribed Sowore’s quiet or lack of outspoken support for Sunday Igboho during his trials to many claims of land grabbing and violent conflict crimes, among other things.
