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The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has criticised African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore over his request to hold the inauguration of his 2027 presidential campaign council at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, describing the move as an unserious political stunt.

Basiru questioned Sowore’s commitment to contesting the 2027 presidential election, suggesting that the request was intended to attract public attention rather than advance a genuine campaign agenda.

The APC national secretary reportedly described the AAC candidate as a comedian, dismissing the proposal as an attempt to make a political statement rather than a serious step towards challenging President Bola Tinubu at the polls.

According to Basiru, the Presidential Villa is the official seat of Nigeria’s presidency, making Sowore’s request inappropriate in the context of his ambition to contest against the incumbent president.

His comments come as political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition figures and ruling party leaders positioning themselves for another round of electoral contests.

Sowore, a human rights activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, has remained a vocal critic of successive Nigerian administrations and has previously contested the presidency on the platform of the African Action Congress.

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His political activities have frequently attracted national attention, particularly his criticism of government policies, calls for political reforms and advocacy for greater accountability in public office.

Basiru’s remarks underscore the growing political exchanges between members of the ruling APC and opposition figures as parties begin to prepare for the next presidential election.

The dispute over the proposed campaign council inauguration venue also highlights the symbolic importance of the Presidential Villa, which serves as the official workplace and residence of the president.

While the APC secretary questioned Sowore’s seriousness, the episode has added another dimension to the political debate surrounding the 2027 presidential race.

The election is expected to feature renewed competition among political parties seeking to challenge the ruling party and persuade Nigerians to support their respective programmes.

However, Basiru’s criticism represents the APC official’s assessment of Sowore’s request and does not, in itself, determine the AAC candidate’s intentions or eligibility to contest the election.

Ihesiulo Grace Amarachi is a Nigerian journalist, writer and media professional serving as the Editor-in-Chief of TheTraffic.NG, a digital news platform covering national and international affairs. Her editorial interests span politics, business, aviation, health, technology, entertainment, sports and social development. She is committed to credible journalism, insightful reporting and compelling storytelling that informs public discourse and keeps readers abreast of important developments in Nigeria, Africa and beyond.