APC Scribe, Sowore Clash Over Aso Villa Campaign Inauguration Plan

The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, has criticised African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore over his party’s request to use the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja, for its 2027 campaign council inauguration.

Basiru described the request as a political stunt, questioning Sowore’s political standing and the electoral performance of his party.

“I don’t work for Mr President. I am the National Publicity Secretary of the party, and he has not applied to the party,” Basiru said, explaining that the request was not directed to the APC.

The APC official, who said he had known Sowore since their days as student activists, dismissed the request as something that was unlikely to be approved.

“Sowore is a skit maker. You know he is my friend; all of us were in the trenches in our school days. He knew that would not happen,” he said.

Basiru also challenged the AAC candidate to demonstrate his political strength by winning a legislative seat before seeking broader political recognition.

“Let him struggle to even get a seat in the House of Assembly in his political party, and people will begin to take him seriously,” he added.

He further claimed that rejected ballot papers received more votes than the AAC in the 2023 presidential election, using the comparison to question the party’s electoral performance.

Sowore’s party had written to President Bola Tinubu on October 21, requesting permission to hold the inauguration of its Presidential Campaign Council at the Presidential Villa on November 11, 2026.

In the letter signed by its National Secretary, Oshiokhai Philip Ikpeminoghena, the AAC also requested food, drinks and logistical support for 5,000 participants expected from within and outside Nigeria.

The party argued that its request was based on multiparty democracy, political inclusiveness and equal treatment, citing arrangements reportedly made for the ruling APC during a similar political engagement.

The AAC maintained that public institutions should serve Nigerians without partisan discrimination and asked the Presidency to communicate the procedures and conditions governing the request.

As of the latest reports, the Presidency had not publicly confirmed approval of the proposed venue or the requested logistical support.

The exchange has brought renewed attention to the use of government facilities for political activities and the question of equal treatment for opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.