Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has condemned the emergence of a new political coalition, claiming that many of its key players are former cabinet members from the Muhammadu Buhari administration who, according to him, should be facing justice rather than planning a political comeback.

Sowore made the explosive remarks on Tuesday during a press briefing in Abuja, where he criticized what he described as a recycled elite seeking to rebrand themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections. The coalition, formed in early April and dubbed a “third force” against the two dominant parties — the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — had touted itself as a new vehicle for reform and national rescue.

But for Sowore, who ran for president under the African Action Congress (AAC) in 2019 and 2023, the coalition is anything but new.

“Most of the people parading themselves in this so-called coalition were top members of Buhari’s failed government. Some of them sat in the Federal Executive Council that plunged Nigeria into economic ruin. Now they want to come back as saviors? They should be in prison, not plotting political strategies,” Sowore declared.

Coalition Under Fire

The coalition, which includes former ministers, governors, legislators, and civil society figures, has been gaining attention for its stated goals of restoring good governance, fighting corruption, and reforming Nigeria’s political system. However, critics like Sowore argue that the group lacks credibility due to the antecedents of many of its members.

Although he did not name individuals directly during the press conference, political analysts believe Sowore was referring to several prominent figures who held strategic roles in Buhari’s eight-year administration and have recently rebranded themselves as reformists.

“You cannot participate in the looting of a nation and then repackage yourself as a liberator. That is political fraud, and the Nigerian people are smarter than that,” Sowore said.

A Pattern of Political Recycling?

Sowore further warned that the coalition is symptomatic of a larger issue in Nigerian politics — the tendency of political elites to simply rotate among parties and platforms without genuine ideological shifts or accountability for past actions.

“We’ve seen this movie before. When PDP failed, they moved to APC. Now that APC is failing, they are forming a coalition. These are the same faces, same names, same old lies,” he said.

He noted that many of the coalition’s members were silent or complicit during critical moments under the Buhari administration, including the #EndSARS protests, currency devaluation, rising insecurity, and human rights violations.

“Where were these ‘coalition builders’ when Nigerian youths were being shot at Lekki? Where were they when inflation crippled the economy or when public universities were closed for months?” Sowore asked.

Alternative Vision

Reaffirming his commitment to grassroots activism and revolutionary change, Sowore urged Nigerians not to fall for what he called “elite musical chairs.” He insisted that only a people-driven movement, rooted in justice, accountability, and radical transparency, could deliver genuine transformation.

“We don’t need coalitions of the corrupt. We need coalitions of the courageous — people ready to challenge the status quo, not recycle it,” he said.

Sowore reiterated the need for political education, civic engagement, and mass mobilization, particularly among young Nigerians who make up a majority of the voting population.

Reactions and Counterpoints

Unsurprisingly, Sowore’s comments sparked immediate reactions across political and media circles. While his supporters praised his boldness, some members of the new coalition fired back, accusing him of divisiveness and opportunism.

A spokesperson for the coalition, who requested anonymity, said:

“Sowore has every right to criticize, but he must not overlook the fact that people can evolve. Some of us left the previous government because we were frustrated by its failures. We are not here to deceive Nigerians, but to offer an alternative.”

Another former minister, believed to be part of the coalition, described Sowore’s remarks as “irresponsible,” arguing that Nigeria’s complex problems require unity and not name-calling.

Political analyst Dr. Rose Ibe, however, struck a middle ground, saying:

“Sowore raises valid concerns about political recycling, but not all members of the coalition are tainted. What’s important now is transparency — the coalition must clearly state who its members are, their track records, and how they intend to break from the past.”

Looking Ahead

As Nigeria inches closer to another election cycle, the emergence of coalitions and counter-coalitions is expected to intensify. Sowore’s critique signals that alternative voices will continue to challenge not just the ruling establishment but also emerging political blocs that appear to offer change without true reform.

For now, the question remains whether Nigerians will embrace the coalition’s promise of a new political direction — or view it, as Sowore warns, as just another gathering of yesterday’s men, dressed in the language of tomorrow.