The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has described President Bola Tinubu as a “failed traitor to the Nigerian people” after leaving the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, where he was temporarily remanded following a court order.
Sowore made the remarks on Tuesday shortly after regaining his freedom from Kuje prison, insisting that his detention would not weaken his resolve to continue speaking against the government.
The activist politician had been remanded by the Federal High Court in Abuja after he was arraigned over alleged defamatory comments in which he referred to President Tinubu as a criminal.
Although the court granted him bail, Sowore was returned to the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of the conditions attached to his release.
Justice Mohammed Umar admitted the AAC leader to bail in the sum of N200 million with strict conditions. The court ordered him to produce two sureties, one of whom must be a traditional ruler from his hometown, while the second must own landed property in Abuja. The judge also directed Sowore to surrender his international passport to the court.
The activist was initially remanded on June 22, 2026, after appearing before the court to answer charges arising from statements he allegedly made against the President.
Soon after leaving the correctional centre, Sowore took to his X account to react to his detention, maintaining that he had been unjustly imprisoned because of his political views and criticism of the Tinubu administration.
In the post, he accused the President of using state institutions to silence dissent but vowed that he would not be intimidated.
“Leaving Kuje Prison after being unjustly incarcerated by the failed traitor to the Nigerian people, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and his regime,” Sowore wrote.
He added: “Prison has never broken the resolve of those who fight for justice. If anything, it only strengthens our determination.
“The struggle continues. We will never surrender. #RevolutionNow #Sowore2027.”
His comments are the latest in a series of exchanges between the outspoken activist and the Federal Government.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate and publisher of Sahara Reporters, has remained one of the strongest critics of successive Nigerian governments. Over the years, he has repeatedly accused political leaders of corruption, abuse of power and failure to address the country’s economic and security challenges.
He also leads the RevolutionNow movement, a campaign that calls for major political and governance reforms in Nigeria. The movement has organised several protests since its launch in 2019, many of which have attracted security crackdowns and legal actions.
The current case against Sowore stems from remarks he allegedly made about President Tinubu, prompting authorities to file charges against him. While details of the charges are still before the court, the case has generated public debate over the balance between protecting reputations and safeguarding the constitutional right to freedom of expression.
Supporters of the activist have argued that his prosecution is politically motivated and intended to silence opposition voices, while government supporters insist that no individual is above the law and that defamatory statements should attract legal consequences.
The case has also drawn attention from civil society groups, some of which have called for the protection of free speech and the independence of the judiciary. Others have urged all political actors to conduct public debates responsibly and avoid statements capable of inflaming tensions.
President Tinubu and the Presidency have not officially responded to Sowore’s latest remarks made after his release from Kuje prison.
The President has, on several occasions, defended his administration’s record, saying his government is implementing reforms aimed at stabilising the economy, improving security and creating opportunities for Nigerians. However, critics argue that many citizens continue to face rising living costs, unemployment and insecurity despite those efforts.
As political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gradually gather momentum, analysts expect exchanges between the government and opposition figures to become more frequent.
For now, Sowore remains on bail and is expected to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja on the next adjourned date as proceedings in the case continue.