Rivers State chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Tony Okocha, has launched a blistering attack on Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, accusing him of weaponizing falsehoods, propaganda, and blackmail under the guise of activism.
In a strongly worded statement titled “Sowore; The Unbridled Razzmatazz of a Notorious Crisis Merchant”, Okocha described Sowore as a “serial merchant of discord” who has perfected the act of publishing fabricated stories to malign respected leaders. He urged security agencies to immediately arrest and prosecute him.
The APC leader alleged that Sowore’s Sahara Reporters platform has for years thrived on “blackmail journalism,” noting that it had published malicious reports against President Bola Tinubu and Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.
“Sowore has built his entire career on lies. His Sahara Reporters platform is notorious for publishing fabricated stories and half-truths, often used as tools for blackmail and extortion,” Okocha stated.
He cited Sowore’s ongoing trial for cybercrime and defamation, including charges of transmitting false and inciting messages against President Tinubu, as evidence that his activities amount to criminality rather than activism.
Okocha also revisited the 2019 #RevolutionNow protests spearheaded by Sowore, describing them as “a thinly veiled coup attempt” aimed at toppling a democratically elected government.
“No genuine democrat calls for the violent overthrow of a legitimate government. Sowore’s reckless campaign was nothing but an attempted insurrection,” he stated.
The APC chieftain further alleged that Sowore’s political campaigns were fueled by “dubious finances and shady sponsorships,” while his repeated failed presidential bids proved Nigerians had rejected him at the polls.
“Sowore represents the opposite of democracy – a man rejected by the people, yet obsessed with insulting credible leaders,” Okocha stated.
Chief Okocha praised the Tinubu administration’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” and Wike’s transformation of Abuja, urging Nigerians not to fall for Sowore’s “antics and malicious fabrications.”
“Spreading fake news with clear intention to defame is unacceptable. Attempting to incite Nigerians against the government is treasonable felony.
“The Federal Government must act decisively,” he stated.
