How Oshiomhole Met Obasanjo Secretly to Raise Fuel Prices, Then Staged ‘Organised Outrage’ – Sowore

In a candid interview on a Glitch Africa Studios podcast, Nigerian activist Omoyele Sowore sharply criticized former Edo State Governor and ex-Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) President, Adams Oshiomhole, describing him as a “pretend activist” who engaged in what he called “organized outrage.” The interview saw Sowore the #RevolutionNow movement convener, challenge Oshiomhole’s labor credentials and allege longstanding cooperation with Nigeria’s former leaders to increase fuel prices.

During the podcast, Sowore claimed that Oshiomhole, alongside another NLC leader, had a covert arrangement in 1992 with then-military leader Ibrahim Babangida to raise fuel prices, while presenting a public stance of resistance. Sowore, who led the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) at the time, recalled holding a press conference that condemned Oshiomhole as “an enemy of students” for allegedly supporting the fuel hike.

“Oshiomhole was never an activist,” Sowore said. “In 1992, he worked with Babangida on fuel price increases and supported them. We [students] publicly named him an adversary because he was part of that first increment.”

Sowore went on to assert that Oshiomhole also met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo to facilitate further fuel price increases, claiming the former labor leader privately endorsed hikes in exchange for superficial protests designed to appease the public. “Oshiomhole would meet Obasanjo and say, ‘We’ll protest a bit, then settle it. Everyone ends up happy,’” Sowore alleged, suggesting a pre-arranged outcome that served both parties’ interests.

Addressing Oshiomhole’s record as a labor leader, Sowore contrasted him with Pa Michael Imodu, whom he described as one of Nigeria’s earliest and most genuine labor activists. Sowore referenced historical figures such as Imodu and Obafemi Awolowo, noting that both were detained and restricted by colonial authorities due to their unyielding stance. In comparison, he claimed Oshiomhole faced little consequence, suggesting that any detentions he experienced were “arranged.”

Responding to mentions of Oshiomhole being tear-gassed during his protests under Obasanjo’s administration, Sowore dismissed the incidents as “organized outrage” intended to enhance Oshiomhole’s image as a defiant activist. “Real activism meant putting yourself at risk, not pre-arranging consequences for show,” he added.