The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Ajibola Basiru, and the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, have clashed over the AAC’s request to inaugurate its presidential campaign council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The disagreement began after Basiru described Sowore as a “skit maker” and “comedian”, questioning his political relevance and chances of gaining electoral support.
The AAC, in a letter dated October 21, 2026, addressed to President Bola Tinubu, requested approval to inaugurate its presidential campaign council at the Presidential Villa on November 11, 2026.
The letter, signed by the party’s National Secretary, Oshiokhai Ikpeminioghena, also requested logistical support, including food and drinks for participants at the proposed event.
Speaking on a live programme, Basiru dismissed the request, insisting that Sowore needed to demonstrate his electoral strength at the state level before being taken seriously as a presidential contender.
“Sowore is a skit maker. You know he’s my friend. All of us were in the trenches as a student union. He’s a skit maker. He knows that wouldn’t happen,” Basiru said.
He further argued that Sowore’s party performed poorly in the 2023 presidential election, claiming that even rejected ballot papers received more votes than the AAC.
Basiru also described Sowore as a comedian who was not serious about the presidential race.
Reacting in a post on his X handle on Wednesday night, Sowore recalled his longstanding relationship with Basiru during their student activism days in the 1990s, when both opposed military dictatorship.
The AAC presidential candidate shared a photograph he said was taken with Basiru in 1998, when he led the Congress of Progressive Youths.
He said the history of their relationship offered insight into Basiru’s political transformation but declined to elaborate further.
Sowore also challenged Basiru’s argument that opposition candidates should be ashamed of their performance in the 2023 presidential election.
