Member of the Education Board Committee representing the African Action Congress (AAC) aligned with the Omoyele Sowore-led movement, Soneye Lekan, on Friday, criticized President Bola Tinubu and opposition leader Peter Obi, accusing both of failing Nigerians.
Mr Soneye made the remarks during Voice of the People (VOP) Media Town Hall debate titled “My Candidate is the Best,” where representatives of major political movements outlined competing visions for Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“People who have held several positions, they failed you mercilessly, ruthlessly! So you are still asking us to go and say what office has he held? Omoyele Sowore has held the most important office in this country—as the conscience of the country!”
He argued that the AAC is not interested in creating more billionaires, but in building a self-sustaining population free from poverty.
“What we are saying is that for us (AAC Party), we are not building more billionaires in Nigeria. We want to build more self-sustained 200 million Nigerians who are in poverty.” He said.
Mr Soneye also called for the radical nationalization of Nigeria’s oil, gas, and power sectors. He said both the ruling APC and opposition parties had not delivered meaningful change, sparking debate among participants at the event.
He accused Nigeria’s dominant political class of failing citizens across successive administrations and argued that systemic wealth redistribution is necessary to address widespread poverty.
He argued that national assets should be controlled in a way that benefits the wider population rather than private interests.
“We have Dangote Refinery, but to what extent? We still buy fuel at international prices… Why do we leave the property of the Nigerian people, the four public refineries, only to go and invest the taxes of Nigerians into a private business of one man?” Mr Soneye said.
Call for structural economic reforms
Mr Soneye emphasized that Nigeria’s economic structure must be fundamentally redesigned through state-led ownership of key industries.
He argued that poverty, insecurity, and unemployment are interconnected and require systemic intervention rather than incremental reforms.
He also maintained that education must be central to any national security strategy, describing it as a “scientific shield” against radicalization and criminal recruitment.
“No Collective Manifesto” — Attack on Major Parties
Mr Soneye also dismissed Nigeria’s dominant political parties, arguing that they lack ideological direction.
“These political parties have no collective manifestos; they have no collective economic goal other than ‘what is the sharing formula?’”
He added that political elites often switch parties without ideological consistency.
“If you blame the PDP today, most of the political actors in the PDP are critical stakeholders in the APC today.”
Education, poverty and security crisis
The AAC representative strongly linked insecurity to poverty and lack of education, insisting that Nigeria is producing a generation vulnerable to criminal recruitment.
“A nation that sits as the largest producer of out-of-school children is building a future generation of bandits, kidnappers, and worst of all, terrorists. This is why we (AAC party) prioritize education.”
He emphasized that education is central to cognitive development and national stability.
“Proper education pushes you towards science, objectivity, and logical reasoning… it reduces the potential of people being vulnerable.”
Structural reform and nationalization call
Mr Soneye called for sweeping economic restructuring, including state control of key sectors such as oil, gas, and electricity.
He questioned Nigeria’s current fuel import dependence despite local refinery investments.
He also criticized the student loan policy, arguing it could worsen inequality by burdening vulnerable youths with debt.
Heated exchange at VOP Town Hall
The session became highly charged as moderators intervened during moments of disruption between panelists debating insecurity, governance, and economic policy.
Mr Soneye also criticized proposals such as state policing, arguing that without economic transformation and improved welfare for security personnel, such reforms would fail.
He further described insecurity as a symptom of structural inequality and what he called a “billion-dollar kidnapping economy” sustained by elite neglect.
AAC policy direction (Sowore camp position)
Mr Soneye stated that an AAC-led government under Mr Omoyele Sowore would prioritize:
- Free and compulsory public education
- A legally guaranteed living wage
- Nationalization of strategic sectors
- Full reform of security personnel welfare
- Structural economic redistribution
The VOP Media town hall brought together representatives of the APC, Labour-aligned blocs, Obidient Movement, and AAC to debate Nigeria’s future ahead of the 2027 elections.
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