Human rights activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, has emerged as the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), with a promise to overhaul Nigeria’s political and economic system through what he described as a revolutionary people-driven agenda.

Speaking at the AAC presidential primary election in Abuja, on Tuesday , Sowore declared that the party remained Nigeria’s “only genuine opposition” and the country’s only registered socialist party committed to dismantling corruption, inequality and elite domination.

The activist said the AAC was not interested in participating in what he called a failed political order but was determined to fundamentally transform the country’s governance structure.

“We are not here to have a seat at the table. We are here to shatter the table from which Nigerians have long been subjected to evil neo-colonial policies designed to keep us as second-class humans,” he said.

Sowore accused successive administrations of implementing economic policies allegedly dictated by international financial institutions while millions of Nigerians continue to grapple with poverty, unemployment and insecurity.

According to him, the country’s worsening insecurity is directly linked to economic inequality and mass exclusion of young people from opportunities.

“When a few people take everything and leave millions of energetic young people without jobs, hope, or a future, they become easy recruits for forces of destruction,” he stated.

The AAC candidate vowed that an AAC-led government would dismantle monopolies, nationalise strategic sectors of the economy and prosecute corrupt public officials.

A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of four economic models which Sowore said would replace Nigeria’s “failed Black Economy.”

He explained that the proposed Orange Economy would focus on youth empowerment through technology, sports, entertainment, arts, culture and digital innovation.

According to him, the Purple Economy is designed to promote women’s economic inclusion through greater access to finance, education, healthcare, entrepreneurship and land ownership.

Sowore added that the Blue Economy would harness Nigeria’s waterways and aquatic resources for transportation, clean energy, industrialisation and environmental sustainability, while the Green Economy would prioritise renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and climate-conscious industrial development.

“Today, we declare an end to the failed Black Economy ,the corrupt economic order built on greed, exploitation, environmental destruction, insecurity, and endless theft of public wealth,” he declared.

He also announced that the AAC and the #RevolutionNow movement would stage what he termed a “Nationwide State of Resistance” on August 5 against corruption, oppression and economic hardship in the country.

“The struggle continues. Victory is certain,” Sowore said as supporters responded with chants of “Take It Back! Action!” (The Guardian)

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