Biographies
Omoyele Sowore Biography: Net Worth, Political Party, Wife, Educational Background & State Of Origin
Omoyele Sowore Biography & Net Worth: Political Party, Wife, Educational Background and State of Origin of Nigeria’s Youngest Presidential Aspirant
The 2019 general elections is just around the corner, with less than 100 days to go. The polity is heating up in anticipation of either a change or a continuation of government. One of the underdogs in the upcoming presidential contest is a renown activist, who is seeking to ride on the platform of youth movement; his name is Omoyele Sowore. We bring you everything you need to know about the youngest candidate in the race to become the ‘number one citizen’ of the most populous nation on earth.
Omoyele Sowore Biography
Omoyele Sowore was born on February 16, 1971. He was born into a large polygamous family in a remote town, where he grew up in the midst of his fifteen siblings. While growing up, he was a subsistence fisherman, who combines his education with fishing, in a bid to help put food on his large family’s table.
He made his way to Lagos shortly after his secondary education. He had his eyes set on using the media, as a pro-democracy tool and became actively involved in anti-government protests as an 18-year old student.
Sowore became popular in 1992, while he was in school. He led a massive student protest against the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida. The protest resulted in a fatal confrontation with the Nigerian Police, resulting in the death of seven students. Sowore, the leader of the protesting group, was captured and severely tortured by the Police.
Sowore was also part of the famous June 12, 1993 protest, against the General Babangida led military government, for its annulment of the Presidential elections, which was to usher in a democratic government of late MKO Abiola.
He suffered a cult attack in 1999, when he was severely injured. He left the shores of Nigeria for the United States shortly after the attack. While in the US, he founded the now prominent online news platform, Sahara Reporters, in 2006. Sahara Reporters rose to prominence in December 2009, when it became the first media platform to discover and publish the identity of Nigerian Al Qaeda suicide bomber, Abdulmutallab Faruk Umar (Underwear Bomber), who attempted to detonate a bomb aboard a flight. Today, Sahara Reporters is one of the most credible globally-recognised African news agencies.
Earlier this year, on 25th February, 2018, the 47-year old reporter announced his political intentions to run for the Presidential position in the 2019 general elections. He created a political slogan, which he tagged #Takeitback movement.
Omoyele Sowore Political Party
The 47-year old Presidential aspirant announced his political intentions as a party-less individual. However, only few months ago, in August, he created his own political platform, which he named African Action Congress, simply known as AAC. The political party is duly registered with INEC.
AAC conducted its maiden national convention about a week ago, on 6th October, 2018. Omoyele Sowore, expectedly, emerged as the party’s presidential candidate for the forthcoming general election, come February 2019. He was elected unopposed during the AAC primary elections.
African Action Congress and its Presidential Candidate’s ambition is being funded by a movement, which solicits donations from capable youths, concerned groups and stakeholders in Nigeria. The movement aims to raise a minimum of $2 million, to help fund AAC and Sowore’s Presidential campaign.
Omoyele Sowore Educational Background
Omoyele is a well learned individual. His scope of knowledge cuts across several disciplines. Today, he is a lecturer, a reporter, a blogger, a writer and more significantly, an human rights activist. His wide range of profession stems from his diverse educational background and qualifications. Currently, he lectures at two prominent educational institutions in New York; School of Visual Arts and City University of New York.
Although, not much is known about the Presidential aspirant’s early education, he reportedly had his primary and secondary education in his native town. He later moved to Lagos for his tertiary education.
He studied Geography and Planning at the University of Lagos between 1989 and 1995. Although, his course of study was only a four-year course, he spent six years in school. He was suspended twice from school, because of his political involvements and anti-management practices, during his tenure as President of the University of Lagos’s Student Union Government (SUG). He eventually obtained his Bachelors degree in 1995.
In his first year at the University of Lagos, he was involved in a massive protest against the Nigerian Government’s plan to cut down the number of Government funded Universities by 23, from 28 to 5. He became fully involved in activism in 1992, when he was elected as President of Students Union Government in Unilag. As the union head, he led several crackdowns on cultists in Unilag. His aim was to purge Unilag of cultism. Aside from school politics, Sowore was heavily involved in core activism, against the Nigerian government.
Four years after his graduation from the University of Lagos, Omoyele travelled to the United States to further his studies. He attended the Columbia University, where he obtained his masters degree in Public Administration.
In summary, the AAC Presidential Candidate, holds a B.Sc. degree, from the University of Lagos and a M.Sc. degree, from Columbia University in United States.
Omoyele Sowore Sahara Reporters
Sahara Reporters has been blighted by controversies over the course of its existence. In the last general elections, it was widely seen as a media tool of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in developing and disseminating propaganda against the then ruling party, PDP.
In the safety and convenience of Sowore’s work station, Sahara Reporters headquarters, located far away in New York City, United States; he is able to dish out highly controversial news pieces to the Nigerian populace. His investigative reports greatly worked against the government of Goodluck Ebele Jobathan (GCFR). Sahara Reporters is, without doubt, one of the key contributors in the last general elections.
Sowore was involved in many controversial cases, as his online media platform, Sahara Reporters, at a time, became the major source of some incriminating reports against certain elements in Goodluck Jonathan’s government. He was accused of being a blackmailer, who uses his media platform to blackmail and extort money from powerful politicians.
One of his controversial reports, which seriously heated the polity, was his report, which alleged that, Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West, did not graduate from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria as believed. This report created serious tensions in the Nigerian political space. In fact, the Vice Chancellor of A.B.U was summoned to the senate, to clarify the situation, which he did in affirmative, that Senator Dino Melaye did graduate from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Omoyele Sowore State of Origin
Omoyele is a Yoruba man, who hails from Ondo State, the only oil-producing state in the South Western region of Nigeria. His hometown in Ondo state has been identified as the town of Ilaje, where he was born and raised.
Omoyele Sowore Wife
The controverstial reporter is reportedly married and his marriage is blessed with beautiful kids. His wife and kids are based in the United States. Sowore has, so far, chosen to exclude his wife and children from his presidential campaign. He is making every effort to ensure his family is not included in his controversial/activist life and its kickback effects.
Omoyele Sowore Net Worth
There is no accurate parameter to evaluate the wealth of the 47-year old presidential aspirant, as most of his assets are stocked in the US. However, his online media platform, Sahara Reporters, has been estimated to be worth in the region of 3.5 billion naira ($10 million).
Sahara Reporters, is reportedly funded by a group of multinational foundations, who pump significant amount of money into the platform, to assist it in its quest of investigative journalism.
Omoyele Sowore Presidential Campaign & Chances
The journey started earlier this year, on 25th February, 2018, when the Sahara Reporters owner announced his presidential ambition. He created a movement which is now gaining steam. During one of his media addresses, he described his major opponents; President Muhammadu Buhari as useless, and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as corrupt.
His campaign, so far, has been filled with thrills and grills. He has been praised, abused, cursed and even beaten up. One noteworthy incident, was his unsolicited visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, some time last month. He and his cohorts were reportedly beaten up by the palace guards, before the Ooni eventually intervened. This is one among many of such incidents.
Weighing Sowore’s chances against heavyweights like President Buhari and former Vice President Atiku; he is highly unlikely to garner as much votes as these prominent figures. To make matters worse, his political party, AAC, has physical presence only in Lagos and few other states. In fact, he is only popular on social media, as only few people know him in person.
Some people have argued that, Sowore’s underlying intention, in contesting for next year’s presidential election, is simply to create awareness for himself, so as to gain future favours. Other groups of people simply call him a joker and scammer, who is only using his campaign movement to solicit donations for his selfish interests. Whatever his intentions, his chances in the forthcoming election look very slim. However, regardless of his chances, we wish him the best in his quest.
Mon
October 17, 2018 at 2:02 AM
He is one of the best options, with good, bad and sound ideas, not necessary that he will change anything about Nigeria within 4yrs, but he will help Nigerians to realize that Nigeria is irredeemable and what will be left is to let every region go their separate ways.
Rita
October 17, 2018 at 3:05 AM
i am a member of AAC and the takeitback movement. our movement is shaking everywhere in Nigeria. AAC is the only party without godfather/godmother. Our party is based on conscientious people who believe Nigerians deserve a better life. the Cabals are already shaking since the birth of AAC. We will not bow down until Nigeria is free!
#Notobuhari
#NotoAtiku
#WeHaveABetterAternative
#HisNameIsOmoyeleSowore
#AfricaActionCongress(AAC)is the party.
#DoNotSellYourVote/TheFutureOfYourChildren
#OurKidsDeserveBetter
lets make a revolutionary change by voting SOWORE4PRESIDENT.
Amanda
October 17, 2018 at 3:33 AM
Obviously he is a brilliant one. I wish i could support him. I still support BuhaRI FOR SECOND TERM. sOWORE SHOULD USE THE NEXT 4 YRS TO BUILD HIS POLITICAL CAREER.
Also, Sowore could become disaster for nigeria if he is elected president cuz, his livelihood is base in new york. One of the many reasons nigeria can not move forward is bcus of conditions demanded world powers. Even if Sowore has good intention to make nigeria great, this white nation dont want greater nigeria. Therefore, they would make demands and give conditions that will put him on hot seat. If he would go ahead and disregard conditions given by world powers, they will destroy his business. Therefore, Sowore will have choose between his business and greater nigeria. He has to be strong and patriotic enough to choose greater nigeria which means US will destroy his business and possibly deport him bcus he is not US citizen.
He cant be US citizen and be contesting for nigeria presidency unless maybe if he’s dua citizen.
#myopinion
Keep it real
October 17, 2018 at 1:08 PM
with all due respect…please one good reason you support Buhari for the second term.??
you probably live somewhere in the western world and I’m not sure when was the last time you visited Nigeria. My dear it’s very rough on that end, in short it’s a dead end.. people are suffering, generator noise & fumes alone will traumatized you. let’s not talk about deadly bad roads and constant living in fear becuase of security issue..
Tribalism and religion are what most Nigerians vote for. Nigeria will get better as soon as this change and vote count without magomago!!
Amanda
October 17, 2018 at 5:02 PM
Keep it real,
You complained about stable electricity and at the same time you want to vote for Atiku?. It seems you guys have no idea that Atiku and his like hold stable electricity hostage. Atiku is a shared owner of MEKANO. MEKANO is generator company. So they make money from this by selling to Nigerians. Which means they have no intention of fixing the country’s electricity, and you people wanna vote for him.
Many of you and pastors, especially Oyedepo accused Buhari of fulani Herdmen killings and northern born to rule mentality, but yet you are voting Atiku, another fulani from North.
Obviously you people don’t know what you want.
Keep it real
October 17, 2018 at 9:17 PM
you obviously just picked electricity out of everything facing Nigerian because you want to vote for Buhari second term. I’m not supporting Atiku either. if you wanna agree with me both of them have nothing to offer to the Nigerian people. here’s the thing Buhari is very old and can’t function properly without running up and down to the Uk in the expense of the Tax payer, Atiku is not far from the same age as Buhari and looks brain dead as well plus has big plans to pack more money. Nigeria need young blood that will implement the standard basic of life people lives in overseas because Nigeria has the resources to do just that. those old men gets sick and they ran to the western world why not build good hospitals in Nigeria. point here’s I see no reason you supporting Buhari.
Amanda
October 17, 2018 at 10:28 PM
I just wanted the other party build their party for the next 4 yrs, free of those old people from APC and PDP.
I understand what you are saying but Buhari has created a break through by blocking illegal channels for looters.
And I hope you understood my points about Sowore?. Seems many of you don’t understand that. You will just vote for him because he’s exposed to modern world. That guarantees nothing.
Jilo
October 18, 2018 at 5:22 PM
One of the reasons why we are the way we are in Nigeria is because of we can’t do it syndrome that is affecting all of us. At 47 when do you think this guy will be ready to govern? The will power is only what a good leader needs to lead effectively. If Sowore is sworn in today as the president and commander in Chief all he needs is good support, people who can solve problems not lazy people who will just visit their office 4 or 5 times during their tenure.
It is now that people are seeing young Western leaders that they think they too can do it. Awolowo was 27, Nnamdi Azikwe Akinola were in their 20’s and early 30’s when they got independence for Nigeria. We need to get that old idea out of mind that one needs to start from local government then move to state level then become a Minister that is all rubbish. Those who have toiled that way did nothing for Nigeria instead they worsen our problem more.
Amanda
October 18, 2018 at 9:34 PM
I understand. Jilo. If he’s fortunate to be elected, he gets my support. But you guys are missing my points.
Let me repeat, his party is not recognized yet as the other two major parties. This happens in the United States and I will. Only Democrat and Republican are recognized. But how about Green party who have candidates that are not publicize by the mainstream media?. That’s how they don’t get votes like the formers.
My second point was the one I explained earlier which is, Sowore may not be different if his plans contradict world powers. They would brought down his business and subdue him. You need to reason with this.
I’m also tied of all those baba, I swear. They are Nigeria’s tsunamis. So the only option to go with us Sai baba. But after that, we need new faces of young generation, anywhere from 50 below. There are definitely qualified candidates for this.
Hope you get my point now?
BENJAMIN O. OKO
December 15, 2018 at 10:12 PM
DEFINITELY BROUGHT SOME BIT OF FRESH AIR INTO NIGERIAN POLITICS. YOU CAN LISTEN TO HIM SPEAK FOR ONE HOUR AND HE’LL REPEAT ONE WORD. BUT IN NIGERIA WE HAVE THE CULTURE OF ENTRENCHED POLITICS; THE YOUTHS HE IS REPRESENTING WOULD NOT EVEN RALLY ROUND HIM IN SUFFICIENT ENOUGH NUMBERS!!
INDEED, WOULD BE SO REFRESHING TO HAVE HIM AS PRESIDENT; IF THIS IS NOT NIGERIA!!!
Jadeak09
February 5, 2019 at 7:59 PM
Y is this guy keeping away his family from politics. Even in advance countries, they do involve their wife during campaign.
Kizituu
February 16, 2019 at 8:01 AM
He is doing that because Nigeria is not an advance country . It’s a country were the unthinkable happens.
Mr solomon
February 7, 2019 at 11:33 AM
Sowore is man of like mind i personally would like to meet him in person bcos buhari nd atiku must be elected again.
Rose
February 20, 2019 at 5:01 PM
I am a big believer in SOWORE and his intentions for the Nigerian nation. It’s very sad when you try to campaign for him and people tell you it’s a waste of vote. For how long shall we continue to wait to live the Nigerian dream we dreamt of. If all Nigerians ‘decide to waste’ their vote on this credible man with guts, then we can begin to live the Nigerian dream.
UNAH MARTIN CHUKWUMA
February 21, 2019 at 8:10 AM
Omoyele Sowore is our next president 2019 after the whole drama by APC,PDP and Military or interruption of the democracy after this coming election, then God almighty will strongly show himself to His own Country Nigeria by giving us Omoyele Sowore as His anointed and chosen one to change Nigeria from bad and corrupt leadership to best and uncorrupt leadership with love to carry the feature of youths and all Nigerians to God’s promise land in Jesus name. It is written that Mr Omoyele Sowore will take the glory and honor of Nigeria leadership back from evil and corrupt politicians In 2019 . You are unstoppable and God is strongly with you sir. It is done in Jesus name. Amen!
Oke
August 5, 2019 at 7:35 AM
Ondo people wake up for your right,.Sowore case is false imprisonment,.