By Adenike Ajanlekoko
In a country where social unrest simmers just beneath the surface and public confidence in security institutions remains fragile, it is not surprising that Omoyele Sowore, the perennial presidential candidate, has once again taken the path of confrontation.
His latest endeavour? A planned protest against the Nigeria Police Force, announced with the kind of theatrical zeal that has become his trademark. But despite his intentions, there are compelling reasons why this planned protest is bound to fail, not just logistically, but politically and morally.
Protests, to be effective, must tap into the authentic grievances of the masses. While Nigerians do have legitimate concerns about police misconduct, Sowore’s planned protest lacks grassroots ownership. Unlike the #EndSARS movement, which emerged organically from the frustrations of Nigerian youth, this effort is seen by many as a top-down political manoeuvre designed more to elevate Sowore’s profile than to achieve systemic reform.
There is a growing public fatigue with one-man activism masquerading as mass resistance. Over time, Sowore has turned every cause into a campaign vehicle, often blurring the lines between activism and political opportunism. Nigerians are increasingly wary of being pawns in performative protests that yield no tangible change.
The protest comes at a time when the Nigeria Police Force is undergoing a difficult but necessary transformation. Under IGP Kayode Egbetokun, the Force has initiated several institutional reforms focusing on professionalism, welfare, training, and human rights compliance. The process may not be perfect, but calling for mass protest at a time when reforms are just beginning to take root appears not only premature but also counterproductive.
Rather than amplifying progress or building bridges between the public and law enforcement, Sowore’s protest risks destabilising fragile gains. It sends the wrong message: that disruption is preferable to dialogue and that confrontation trumps collaboration.
Sowore’s track record with protest planning is riddled with legal battles, poor turnout, and governmental pushback. The Nigerian state is unlikely to permit what it perceives as an anti-police rally to gain momentum, especially one spearheaded by someone with a history of confrontational stunts.
Law enforcement agencies will be on high alert, and the government has more than enough legal tools to curtail any form of civil disobedience it deems a threat to public order.
Moreover, the broader security climate in the country does not support mass mobilisation of this kind. With terrorism, banditry, and communal conflicts stretching police capacity, a disruptive protest would not only distract security agencies but might provoke a harsh response, further alienating the public from Sowore’s cause.
Sowore may believe he still holds sway with the youth, but the landscape has changed.
Young Nigerians are now more strategic, more policy-focused, and more cautious about who speaks for them. The 2023 elections revealed a clear generational shift, one that prioritises structure, organisation, and long-term planning over fiery rhetoric and street drama.
Unlike #EndSARS, which united diverse segments of society around a clear, non-partisan goal, Sowore’s protest feels more like a personal vendetta dressed in activist clothing. Without a compelling vision or collective ownership, it is doomed to fizzle.
Sowore has cried wolf too many times. From “Revolution Now” to endless Twitter rants, Nigerians have seen this playbook before, and most are no longer moved by it.
Without credibility and consistency, activism becomes noise. The public no longer wants symbolic battles; they want pragmatic solutions, legislative lobbying, community policing reforms, and strategic partnerships, not endless protests that achieve little.
In conclusion, Omoyele Sowore’s planned protest against the Nigeria Police may attract headlines, but it will not move the needle.
Not because Nigerians do not want reform; they do. Not because the police are perfect; they are not. But genuine reform demands more than outrage. It demands trust-building, long-term vision, and leadership that prioritises change over chaos.
Sowore’s tactics belong to a different era, one where spectacle was mistaken for substance. Nigeria has moved on. It’s time he did, too.
Adenike Ajanlekoko is the Publicity Director of the South West Youth Alliance and writes from Lagos State.
