Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore sparked a heated debate on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday evening after posting about his return to his family in the United States. The post, shared at approximately 8:00 p.m. Nigerian time, drew immediate and polarised reactions from users.
Sowore, who is a vocal critic of the Nigerian government and currently faces terrorism charges, posted a message thanking God for a “safe arrival.” He also posted a picture of himself with a young child on a flight.
“After 20 long months away from my family, I have finally arrived at our family home in New Jersey. For 20 months, the Tinubu regime deployed one institution after another against me. First came the now-retired IGP, Kayode Egbetokun. When that chapter ended, the lawless DSS under its DG , Tosin Ajayi was activated. Through it all, they repeatedly targeted my international passport, send me to dangerous detention centers using court processes to infringe of my liberty and using so-called bail conditions to restrict my movement. But we fought back. We resisted. And we prevailed.I must express my profound appreciation to the courageous lawyers who remained firm, fearless and astute throughout this battle for freedom, and to our fighter comrades who stood with us every inch of the way. Together, we refused to allow oppression to take hold. I am finally home with my family. While here, I will also visit several cities across the United States and Canada, engaging Nigerians and friends of our revolutionary movement. I will return soon to continue the #Sowore2027 campaign on the ground. Nothing can stop us. No persecution, detention, passport seizure or abuse of state power will extinguish our determination.We are revolutionaries, and we are determined to TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY!#Sowore2027 #TakeItBack #RevolutionNow“
The post, however, quickly became a lightning rod for criticism, with many users questioning his status as a “patriot” and his commitment to the country he seeks to lead.
“Your family should be staying in Nigeria, you’re not a patriot,” wrote a user identified as Damiaop2, whose profile picture shows a man in a police uniform. The sentiment was echoed by another user, victoriousnwamama, who wrote, “I’m glad you finally heed my advice to go back to your family, bc all this your campaign na gig u Dey do!”
Critics focused heavily on the fact that Sowore’s family resides in New Jersey, using it as a point of attack. “You want to be the president of Nigeria but your ‘family home’ is in New Jersey, so your family members can’t visit Nigeria right? You never ready,” posted a user named coolest_G.
The most scathing critique came from NWA PETER OBI, who wrote, “Congratulations and thank God for safe arrival but then again you are just like the likes of other politicians… your family house is not in Nigeria but far away in New Jersey what a life, same of the same.” He concluded, however, that “among all Peter Obi still stands out.”
While Sowore faced a barrage of criticism, a significant number of supporters defended his decision to be with his family. Several users emphasized the safety concerns that necessitate his family’s residence abroad.
“Congratulations sir. It’s good you kept your family away while doing your activism work, if not they would have been the target of your enemies,” wrote Promise Chinem, highlighting the dangers Sowore faces due to his activism.
Another user, @Niklausaxiom, urged others to be more understanding, posting, “You don’t have to be a supporter of his presidential pursuit to be excited about this for Sowore… Just celebrate the man and go and if you won’t, silence.”
The debate underscores the deep-seated polarization surrounding Sowore, a figure known for his uncompromising stance against bad governance. While his supporters see a man protecting his family from political persecution, his detractors view his family’s overseas residence as evidence of a lack of genuine patriotism.
Sowore has not yet responded to the flood of comments on his post.
