By Danjuma Lamido
In every society, democracy thrives on the principle of truth, accountability, and respect for the rule of law. Where these are eroded, opportunists emerge to manipulate the public, distort facts, and weaponize information for selfish political gains.
In recent times, one figure who has consistently embodied this brand of political recklessness in Nigeria is Omoyele Sowore.
Sowore, once perceived as an activist, has gradually descended into what can only be described as political banditry — a relentless pursuit of attention at the expense of facts, institutions, and the credibility of the very democracy he claims to defend.
His stock-in-trade has become the deliberate twisting of narratives, the forgery of documents, and the propagation of falsehoods under the guise of “citizen journalism.”
Political banditry, in its essence, is not limited to the forceful seizure of ballots or the use of thugs during elections. It is equally the hijacking of public trust, the weaponization of misinformation, and the sabotage of public institutions through calculated disinformation.
By this definition, Sowore has, time and again, proven himself to be an agent of democratic sabotage.
From concocted police signals to baseless allegations against security agencies and public officers, Sowore has perfected the art of manufacturing outrage.
What is most unfortunate is how easily sections of the public fall prey to these fabrications, amplifying falsehoods and further eroding confidence in institutions already battling perception crises.
But Nigerians must ask themselves: to what end? What is the motive behind this constant barrage of lies and reckless activism that is neither constructive nor reformative?
The answer is simple, political relevance through blackmail. By dragging institutions into mud fights, by manufacturing crises where none exist, Sowore positions himself as the eternal opposition, the professional agitator who thrives only when the nation is in chaos.
True activism is rooted in integrity and the courage to confront injustice with verifiable facts. Political banditry, on the other hand, thrives on falsehood, manipulation, and the exploitation of public sentiment. Sowore’s brand of politics clearly falls into the latter.
The Nigerian people must learn to differentiate between genuine voices for reform and charlatans who wear the cloak of activism while practicing deception.
Democracy cannot grow on the fertile soil of lies, neither can a nation move forward when its public discourse is dominated by misinformation peddlers.
It is time to call things by their real names. Sowore’s antics are not activism; they are a dangerous form of political banditry, one that undermines democracy, destabilizes governance, and distracts the nation from the genuine task of reform and development.
History will not remember those who made the loudest noise, but those who offered the most honest contributions to nation-building.
And on that score, Sowore has already written himself into the wrong side of history.
Danjuma Lamido writes from Yola in Adamawa State. Email; danjumalamido2011@gmail.com
