In a startling revelation, Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has accused Bola Tinubu’s administration of appropriating his innovative ideas for significant projects, including a student loan initiative and the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. Speaking on a recent episode of his Podcast with Seun Okinbaloye, Sowore expressed dismay at seeing his policy proposals implemented without credit given to him or his party.
Sowore lamented the transformation of his original proposal for student grants into a student loan scheme under Tinubu’s government. “We proposed N100,000 grants per semester for Nigerian students,” Sowore explained. “But they turned it into a loan,” he added, criticizing the alteration that, according to him, strayed from the initial intent.
The outspoken activist also claimed authorship of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway idea, which he introduced during his 2018 presidential campaign. “I proposed this coastal highway concept in Badagry,” Sowore recalled, emphasizing its potential to stimulate Nigeria’s economy by linking the Benin Republic border to Calabar. However, he alleged that Tinubu’s administration adopted the concept but modified it to serve specific interests, including a connection to Eko Atlantic and the Dangote Refinery.
Reflecting on the broader implications of such actions, Sowore pointed out a systemic issue in Nigerian politics where innovative ideas from outside the ruling class are co-opted without acknowledgment. “It’s a consequence of neglecting candidates with genuine ideas and celebrating those in power,” he asserted.
The revelation has sparked controversy and raised questions about intellectual property in Nigerian governance. Critics argue that while policy imitation can sometimes be beneficial, transparency and recognition of original sources are essential for fostering trust and accountability in public leadership.
As Nigeria approaches future elections, Sowore’s claims add a layer of complexity to political discourse, highlighting the challenges faced by opposition figures in asserting their contributions amidst a landscape dominated by established political entities.
For now, the debate continues as Nigerians await further developments and responses from both Sowore and the Tinubu camp regarding these contentious allegations.
