Rivers APC Urges FG to Take Firm Action Against Sowore Over Attacks on Tinubu, Wike

The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the federal government to take a firm stance against Omoyele Sowore, 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), over his recent remarks targeting President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Rivers APC chairman Tony Okocha described Sowore’s actions as an attempt to incite Nigerians, calling them “treasonable” and “unacceptable.” He urged Nigerians not to be swayed by what he described as the antics of a “serial merchant of discord and purveyor of half-truths.”

Okocha said, “Spreading false news with the clear intention to defame someone’s character or integrity is unacceptable. Any action capable of undermining public trust and threatening Nigeria’s democracy is unacceptable.”

The APC chairman criticized Sowore for calling President Tinubu a “criminal” and alleging that Wike used public funds to purchase properties in Florida, United States. Okocha maintained that while criticism is part of democracy, deliberate lies and propaganda should be rejected. He added that Sowore has built a career on misinformation through his Sahara Reporters platform, which he described as notorious for publishing fabricated stories.

Okocha also recalled that Sowore is facing charges of forgery, false publication, cybercrime, and defamation, noting that the Department of State Services (DSS) has filed multiple charges against him for spreading false and malicious messages against the President on social media. “A man standing trial for such grave offences ought to rein in himself rather than insult credible leaders working to build the nation,” he said.

The APC chairman referenced the #RevolutionNow protests led by Sowore in 2019, calling them an attempted insurrection disguised as activism. He said Sowore’s continued incitement demonstrates that he is more of an anarchist than a patriot.

Okocha stressed that Nigerians are more interested in facts and evidence than unsubstantiated claims, urging that credible allegations be supported by verifiable proof. He highlighted the achievements of President Tinubu and Minister Wike, including the implementation of the “Renewed Hope Agenda,” improvements in the economy, and progress on the Lagos-Calabar expressway, dismissing Sowore’s criticisms as baseless.

“President Tinubu’s administration has made significant strides in stabilizing the naira, boosting infrastructure, and advancing national development,” Okocha said, appealing to Nigerians to celebrate these achievements rather than focus on what he described as political blackmail.