By Palang Paul
ABUJA Nigeria— The African Action Congress (AAC) Presidential Candidate Stephen Omoyele Sowore says he is being punished by those in power for resisting corruption and defending the rights of Nigerians.
Sowore made this known on Friday 3rd July 2026 during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, shortly after regaining his freedom from the Kuje Custodial Centre on bail after his unjust detention.
Sowore, who is facing a sham defamation charge filed by the Federal Government through the Department of State Security Service DSS, insisted that his prosecution has little to do with the allegations made against him, describing it instead as a political persecution.
He was granted bail in the sum of ₦200 million over allegations that he defamed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by referring to him as a “criminal.”
According to the Human Rights activist, his confrontations with the authorities span several decades, arguing that successive governments have viewed him as an obstacle to corruption and impunity.
“I am not being tried because of what they claim. I am being punished by those in power for standing up for my rights and the rights of every Nigerian,” he said.
He further alleged that security agencies and political leaders have consistently targeted him because of his outspoken criticism of governance and corruption.
To support his claim, Sowore recalled that his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate was withheld over his political activism during the military era, while he was also expelled from the University of Lagos for participating in student protests.
He maintained that his activism has always been driven by the pursuit of justice, accountability and democratic governance, stressing that the current legal battle is another attempt to silence dissent.
His comments come amid growing public interest in the ongoing case, which has renewed discussions over freedom of expression and the use of defamation laws in Nigeria Africa most populous black nation.
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