Omoyele Sowore, a prominent activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress in Nigeria, has recently made a startling assertion regarding his treatment under the civilian government led by President Bola Tinubu. He stated that the conditions he faced in 2025, which he described as harsh and limiting to his freedom, were more severe than during the military dictatorship that ruled Nigeria in the late 20th century. Sowore's reflections come during a televised discussion where he expressed deep concern about the acceptance of current governance as democracy, despite its authoritarian traits.

Sowore elaborated on his experiences, highlighting how he has endured more arrests in 2025 than he did during the military period from 1989 to 1996. He articulated a pervasive sense of disillusionment, indicating that the public tends to overlook the reality of their situation under the current regime, mistakenly assuming that they are living in a true democratic society. According to Sowore, there was a collective naivete that led citizens to believe that they were free after the military era, only to confront a different but equally oppressive set of challenges.

The implications of Sowore's statements are significant, pointing to the ongoing struggles for freedom of expression and civil rights in Nigeria. His assertions capture the essence of a deeper crisis in governance where past lessons appear unlearned, and the distinction between military and civilian rule blurs under practices of intimidation and repression. By drawing this comparison, Sowore calls attention to the urgent need for citizens and policymakers alike to reassess the state of democracy in Nigeria and advocate for genuine reforms that prioritize civil liberties and human rights.