Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has defended his party’s request to hold the inauguration of its 2027 Presidential Campaign Council at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, saying opposition parties should have the same access enjoyed by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Sowore spoke on Thursday at an event organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.
He explained that the request was prompted by the APC’s use of the facility for political activities.
“We asked to use Aso Rock because the APC uses Aso Rock to do political party events. So we are saying, as a matter of right, since Aso Rock is our own, other political parties must be granted the opportunity to use Aso Rock the way APC uses Aso Rock,” he said.
The AAC had written to President Bola Tinubu seeking approval to inaugurate its campaign council at the Villa on November 11, 2026.
In addition to the venue, the party requested food, drinks and other logistical support for attendees.
A letter dated October 21 and signed by AAC National Secretary Oshiokhai Ikpeminioghena stated that the request was based on multiparty democracy, political inclusiveness and equal treatment of political parties.
The party argued that granting the request would affirm the Presidency’s commitment to fairness and show that public institutions are available to all Nigerians regardless of political affiliation.
The request sparked a disagreement between Sowore and APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, who criticised the AAC candidate and questioned the party’s electoral strength.
Sowore maintained that the move was about securing equal access to the Presidential Villa.
He also ruled out joining a proposed opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections, saying, “I don’t want to be part of your coalition because your rainbow coalition is going to die after 2027.”
He further lamented the economic and social difficulties facing Nigerians, noting that “things are hard for the people of this country.”