- Safiu Kehinde
Human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has alleged discriminatory treatment against him and his staff by officials of the Department of State Services at the Peace Accord signing ahead of the 2027 Presidential Election.
Sowore had on Tuesday join other presidential candidates at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja for the event.
Hours after signing the accord, the activist, in a statement issued on his X handle on Wednesday, alleged unfair treatment by officials of DSS.
He recounted how one of the officials had initially attempted to deny him entry to the venue as he demanded an invitation card while another presidential candidate and his convoy were allowed in without any restriction.
‘As is typical of Nigeria’s security agencies, once you don’t arrive surrounded by a convoy of expensive automobiles and heavily armed escorts, they assume you are nobody.
‘I arrived at the National Peace Committee’s Peace Accord signing event, only to be blocked at the gate by @OfficialDSSNG operatives.
‘One of them demanded to see my invitation letter, even though he later admitted that he knew I was a presidential candidate.
‘While this was going on, another presidential candidate swept in with his long convoy and was ushered through without any of this harassment.
‘Then came another condition: I would not be allowed in with my staff. After that, they said my camera crew would not be allowed in either.’ He said.
Sowore disclosed refusing what he considered discriminatory treatment against him as he harped on the need to treat all presidential candidates with equal dignity and respect.
‘I refused to accept this discriminatory treatment. If this is supposed to be a “Peace Accord” involving presidential candidates, then every candidate must be treated with equal dignity and respect.
‘Not according to the size of their convoy, the number of security vehicles around them, or how much privilege they display.
‘I insisted on my rights and made it clear that I would not succumb to discriminatory conduct.
‘This culture of intimidation, class discrimination, and arbitrary treatment by Nigeria’s security agencies must end.’ He wrote.
Video attached to the statement captured the argument between the AAC Presidential candidate and the DSS officials.
Sowore, at the end of the clip declared that all presidential candidates are equal irrespective of their standing.
‘If they allow staff, my cook and gateman, I go bring them. There is no discrimination. Every presidential candidate is the same. If na Atiku, Tinubu, no discrimination allowed.’ He said.