NIGERIA: Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has questioned the contributions of Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, to Nigeria, criticising a colloquium organised in his honour.
Sowore, in a post on X, described the event as an example of what he called the growing culture of sycophancy and worship of political power in Nigeria, reports Vanguard.
Reacting to the programme, which was broadcast on major television stations and attended by prominent personalities, the activist demanded to know the achievements that warranted such a gathering.
“What exactly has Seyi Tinubu contributed to Nigerian society to warrant this elaborate colloquium, attended by so many ‘prominent personalities’ and broadcast across major television stations?” he asked.
The AAC presidential candidate also questioned whether the event was organised to celebrate public service, intellectual contributions and national achievements or was largely influenced by Seyi Tinubu’s relationship with the President.
“Is this about merit, or simply about being the son of a sitting president?” he wrote.
Sowore further recalled marriages involving members of the family of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and serving state governors, noting that the relationships had attracted considerable political attention at the time.
According to him, the political attention surrounding those relationships eventually faded following Yar’Adua’s death.
“Today, we are witnessing another manifestation of this culture of power worship,” Sowore said.
He also faulted the timing of the colloquium, arguing that Nigeria’s economic and security challenges should command greater public attention.
The activist listed hunger, unemployment, insecurity and economic hardship among the difficulties confronting Nigerians, blaming the situation on the policies of the Tinubu administration.
“At a time when millions of Nigerians are struggling with hunger, unemployment, insecurity, and economic hardship brought about by his father, we should be having national shaming of the Tinubu regime,” he wrote.
Sowore concluded his reaction by describing the occasion as a “sad day”, reiterating his criticism of what he sees as the celebration of political connections over demonstrable achievements.
His comments add to the political debate over the role of prominent political families in public life and the appropriateness of lavish celebrations amid the economic difficulties facing many Nigerians.
