Nigerian opposition leader, Omoyele Sowore, has said his commitment to Nigeria remains unshakeable as he travels to the United States (US) for the first time in five years on Friday.
The Nigerian government last month dropped the treasonable felony charges against the founder of the African Action Congress (AAC) political party by the former president, Muhammadu Buhari.
Sowore revealed on his X handle that he will be returning to the US to see his family “after almost five years of my unlawful, unjust and inhuman detention by the corrupt Nigerian political system since August 2019”.
“I was arrested, assaulted, tortured and detained for demanding that Nigerians deserved a nation that they can truly call their own,” he said.
“I was charged with treason and after five years, the All Progressives Congress (APC) government was forced to withdraw its trumped-up charges against me.
“If the government thought that keeping me detained, and later restricting my movement would break my spirit, and cause me to renounce my commitment to fighting for the downtrodden Nigerian people, they are mistaken.
“In the last five years, I have been denied the ability to visit my family, missing out on precious moments with my darling wife and wonderful children.
“I lost my brother to gunmen on Nigeria’s roads. My mother’s health deteriorated, due to the emotional toll of the government’s unrelenting assault on my person. My associates have faced arrest, and some imprisonment.
“I stand today to declare that I am unbowed. My commitment to Nigeria is unshakable. My resolve to continue to fight for the betterment of the Nigerian nation and to demand accountability from her leaders will never be compromised.”
Sowore said everything he and his fellow revolutionists said five years ago about the need for a radical restructuring of the Nigerian nation and the need for a revolution in Nigeria’s approach to politics and governance has come to pass.
According to him, corruption remains high and Nigerians are worse off today than they were five years ago.
He added that inflation is making it difficult for people to put food on the table with Nigeria’s currency devalued by almost 100%.
Sowore said that he is under no illusions about what the future holds as he commuted himself to the mission of helping to create a Nigeria that fulfils its promise and realizes its potential, over 30 years ago.
He said that he suffered greatly for that commitment with his family, colleagues and associates who have stood by him throughout this journey enduring great pain and privations.
“For those who wonder what my next steps will be – I say this: I believe now, as I did over 30 years ago when I began this journey, that the vision of creating a just and egalitarian society must be established during my lifetime,” he stated.
“My trip today to reunite with my children and courageous and supportive wife is only for a short while.
“I will return to Nigeria to continue my struggle for the total liberation of our people from the shackles of the current corrupt, self-serving political class.
“I will also be returning to face headlong, the remaining truckload of bogus criminal and civil cases that have been thrown at me since my detention in 2019.”
Sowore added that he believes Nigeria will be free and Nigerians will see a nation that is free of corruption, that has leaders whose only interest is in uplifting the people and creating an environment where our people can realize their potential.
As such, the AAC chieftain says he remains committed to this ideal as it is a commitment that he has dedicated his life to and his resolve to stay on the path and keep on with the fight remains strong.
