African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has unveiled his party’s agenda for the 2027 general election, promising major changes in wages, electricity, education, housing, healthcare, agriculture, security and the fight against corruption.

Sowore disclosed this in an interview with Independent Newspaper on Sunday, following his emergence as the AAC presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

He said his nomination was not merely about acquiring another political title but accepting what he described as a responsibility to participate in the struggle to transform Nigeria.

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“For me, becoming the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress is not about acquiring another title. It is about accepting another assignment in the historic struggle to liberate Nigeria,” Sowore said.

He recalled his involvement in campaigns against military dictatorship, corruption and oppression, saying the AAC was created to provide what he described as a revolutionary political alternative.

“The AAC was created because we understood that the old political establishment cannot rescue Nigeria from a crisis it created,” he said.

According to him, the party is placing ordinary Nigerians, including workers, farmers, students, women, young people and the disadvantaged, at the centre of political power.

₦500,000 Monthly Living Wage

Sowore proposed a ₦500,000 monthly living minimum wage for Nigerian workers, arguing that existing wages are insufficient to meet the needs of ordinary citizens.

“We intend to change that fundamentally. We are proposing a ₦500,000 monthly living minimum wage because Nigerian workers cannot continue receiving starvation wages while senators, governors and political appointees consume millions every month,” he said.

24-Hour Electricity

The AAC candidate promised to deliver 24-hour electricity, linking reliable power supply to industrial development and economic growth.

“We will deliver 24-hour electricity because no serious industrial economy can operate permanently on generators,” he said.

Free Education

Sowore promised free and accessible education at all levels, saying no Nigerian child should be denied education because of poverty.

He said universal education would form part of his administration’s broader social and economic programme.

One Million Homes And Rent Reform

He also pledged to construct one million public mixed-income homes.
Sowore promised to reform tenancy laws so that working people would not be forced to pay one or two years’ rent in advance.

Healthcare As A Right

On healthcare, he said access to medical care should not depend on a person’s financial status.

“Healthcare must become a right, not a privilege reserved for people who can afford medical tourism,” he said.

Industrialisation, Agriculture And Jobs

Sowore promised to industrialise Nigeria, massively expand agricultural production and processing, rebuild infrastructure and create dignified employment.

He said his administration would focus on expanding production rather than policies that place the burden of economic hardship on ordinary Nigerians.

Security And Police Reform

The AAC candidate also promised to reform policing and security institutions, improve the welfare of security personnel and deploy modern technology to tackle insecurity.

He specifically mentioned drones and advanced intelligence systems as part of the proposed security strategy.

Sowore said security personnel were themselves affected by the shortcomings of the system, arguing that many were poorly paid, poorly equipped and sometimes sent into dangerous situations without adequate support.

He also demanded professionalism from security agencies during the 2027 campaigns.

“Police officers, soldiers and intelligence personnel are employees of the Nigerian people. They are not private security guards belonging to a president, governor, minister or ruling political party,” he said.

Anti-Corruption Drive

Sowore pledged an uncompromising fight against corruption and promised to recover public resources allegedly stolen by political office holders.

“We will wage an uncompromising war against corruption and recover public resources stolen by political officeholders. Nigeria’s wealth must work for Nigerians,” he said.

Criticism Of Tinubu’s Economic Policies

The AAC candidate also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, rejecting the description of policies that impoverish Nigerians as reforms.

“If your economic policy increases hunger, destroys purchasing power, closes businesses and pushes millions deeper into poverty, you cannot simply call it reform and expect people to applaud,” Sowore said.

He said an AAC government would reverse what he described as the philosophy behind such policies.

Instead of punishing ordinary Nigerians, he said his administration would expand production, invest in productive infrastructure, raise wages, stabilise electricity, reduce transportation and energy costs, support domestic manufacturing and agriculture, and use government procurement to strengthen Nigerian producers.

“Economic policy must answer one basic question. Does it improve the material condition of the Nigerian people? If it does not, it has failed,” he said.

Sowore Defends Leftist Government

Sowore also argued that Nigerians were ready for a Leftist government, saying citizens already understood the effects of inequality and exploitation through their daily experiences.

“Our socialism is practical. It means the wealth produced by society must improve the lives of the people who produce it,” he said.

He said his interpretation of socialism included universal education, healthcare, decent housing, electricity, living wages and social protection.

“It means workers deserve dignity. It means Nigeria’s natural resources belong to Nigerians rather than a handful of politically connected billionaires,” he added.

People-Funded 2027 Campaign

Sowore said AAC would rely on ordinary Nigerians rather than wealthy political patrons to fund its 2027 campaign.

He proposed a people-funded campaign where supporters could contribute ₦1,000, ₦5,000 or ₦10,000, alongside their time, skills and organising capacity.

“Our opponents may have billions of naira. They may have governors, private jets and access to state resources, but there is something money cannot manufacture, and that is conviction,” he said.

“You cannot buy a genuine movement. Our greatest war chest will be millions of Nigerians determined to end the political order that has impoverished them.”

Sowore Says AAC Can Win 2027

Sowore, who is seeking the presidency for the third time, said AAC’s chances in 2027 had never been better.

He dismissed political realignments among established parties, arguing that politicians frequently move between platforms without changing their political ideas or methods.

“In 2019, people said we could not run. We ran. In 2023, they said we would disappear. We remained,” he said.

“Our greatest strength in 2027 will be Nigerians themselves.”

He added: “Millions of people are discovering that changing the driver while keeping the same broken vehicle will never take Nigeria anywhere.”

“This election will be the establishment against the people, and we are firmly on the side of the people,” he said.

Grassroots Mobilisation

On how AAC plans to build a nationwide campaign, Sowore said the party would organise from the grassroots.

“Every ward matters. Every polling unit matters. Every village, campus, market, workplace and community matters,” he said.

He said AAC organisers must live among the people, understand their struggles and organise around those issues rather than wait in party offices for instructions.

According to him, technology would be used for volunteer coordination, fundraising, voter education, election monitoring and mobilisation, but it would not replace human organisation.

“Our objective is simple. One organiser becomes 10; 10 become 100; 100 become thousands, and thousands become millions,” Sowore said.

“That is how movements are built, and that is how we intend to win.”

Saudi Arabian shares fell in early trading on Sunday after drone strikes targeted the kingdom’s vital East-West crude oil pipeline, raising fresh concerns over regional oil supplies and infrastructure security.

Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index dropped 1%, weighed down by declines in major companies. Al Rajhi Bank fell 0.8%, while Saudi Arabian Mining Company declined 2.4%.

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Oil giant Saudi Aramco also slipped 1.1%, while Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical Company plunged 7.3%, making it the session’s worst performer.

The sell-off followed the precautionary shutdown of the East-West pipeline after aerial strikes on Thursday hit installations across the Riyadh and Medina regions, causing several injuries.

Saudi Arabia and Iraq both traced the attacks to Iraqi territory, where Iran-backed militias operate. The Iraqi government subsequently dismissed a senior military commander on Saturday.

Riyadh has so far held off on immediate military retaliation following an appeal from Iraq’s prime minister, while asserting its right to defend its sovereignty and critical infrastructure.

The tensions escalated further after U.S. President Donald Trump directly blamed Iran for the strikes on Saturday.

The East-West pipeline is a critical route for Saudi Arabia because it provides an alternative for crude exports that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz.

The latest disruption has highlighted the vulnerability of regional oil infrastructure.

Previous attacks on Saudi energy facilities cut the kingdom’s crude production by 2.3 million barrels per day to about 6 million barrels per day, its lowest level in three decades, according to the International Energy Agency.

Elsewhere in the Gulf, Qatar’s benchmark index rose 0.2%, bucking the regional trend, helped by gains in petrochemical producer Industries Qatar.

Meanwhile, Gulf foreign ministers are planning to meet their Iranian counterpart as part of an Oman-backed effort to secure an interim agreement on managing traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Cross River State Command, has raised concerns over congestion and other challenges facing custodial centres across the state, appealing to the state government for urgent intervention.

CSC Effanga Etim, psc, Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Correctional Service, Cross River State Command, disclosed this in a statement released on Sunday.

According to the statement, the Controller of Corrections, Cross River State Command, CC Aniekan Archibong Nya, psc, pcc, had concluded the Third Quarter Routine Inspection of the six custodial centres and facilities under the Command.

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The inspection covered the Calabar Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ikom Custodial Centre, Obubra Custodial Centre, Ogoja Custodial Centre, Obudu Custodial Centre and the NCoS Correctional Farm Centre, Adim.

The statement further disclosed that the routine exercise was aimed at assessing the general condition of the custodial facilities, ensuring compliance with established correctional standards, reviewing the welfare of staff and inmates, and identifying areas requiring urgent attention and intervention.

During the inspection, the Controller toured the custodial facilities, cells, sanitation and living areas, while also assessing correctional and vocational activities being undertaken by inmates.

He interacted with staff and inmates to receive first-hand reports and complaints concerning welfare and operational challenges.

The Controller emphasised the importance of maintaining a safe, secure, humane and rehabilitative custodial environment in line with the mandate of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

He assured staff and inmates that all concerns raised would be properly documented and forwarded to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.

Nya also urged staff to remain committed, disciplined and professional in the discharge of their duties, while encouraging inmates to take advantage of available educational, vocational, agricultural and rehabilitation programmes.

He reiterated that the welfare, security, reformation, rehabilitation and successful reintegration of inmates remain top priorities of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

The Command appealed to the Cross River State Government to intervene in the myriad of challenges facing the Service in the state.

These include the provision of adequate bedding, reliable water supply, operational vehicles for court duties and measures to address congestion in the facilities.

The Command reaffirmed that the Service remains committed to working to ensure the safety and protection of Cross River State through effective custodial management, reformation and rehabilitation of persons in custody.

It also appreciated the continued support and cooperation of the Cross River State Government, relevant stakeholders, development partners and members of the public in addressing identified challenges and improving custodial infrastructure and welfare across the state.

The Deputy Controller of Corrections in charge of Calabar Medium Security Custodial Centre, DCC Vitalis Ogechukwu, assured that the Calabar Custodial Centre remains committed to strengthening correctional administration and ensuring that persons in custody are treated with dignity while upholding public safety and national security.