Activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore has made it clear that he wants no part in any national award conferred by President Bola Tinubu, warning that even an unintentional inclusion of his name on such a list could lead to legal consequences.
In a post shared on his social media platforms on Friday, Sowore — who is also the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement and a former presidential candidate under the African Action Congress (AAC) — responded sharply to reports speculating on potential honourees in the 2025 national awards list.
“If I were mistakenly included by Tinubu on his ‘National Award’ list, I would not only reject and denounce the award but also take definitive legal action for defamation,” he wrote.
Sowore, known for his staunch opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has been an unrelenting critic of President Tinubu’s administration. He has frequently accused the government of enabling corruption, curbing freedoms, and mismanaging the country’s affairs.
His comments are widely seen as a pre-emptive move against any perceived attempt by the presidency to co-opt or neutralize dissenting voices through national recognition.
In the past, Sowore has rejected similar gestures from successive governments, insisting that state honours are often politicised and serve as tools for silencing or rewarding loyalty rather than genuine merit.
His latest statement underscores his ongoing resistance to what he calls “cosmetic democracy” and the symbols that accompany it.
