AAC presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has disclosed that he demanded an apology from former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi after their fiery confrontation at the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt. Sowore made the revelation during an interview on Arise News on Tuesday, giving further insight into what happened after the […]

AAC presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has disclosed that he demanded an apology from former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi after their fiery confrontation at the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt.

Sowore made the revelation during an interview on Arise News on Tuesday, giving further insight into what happened after the heated exchange between the two politicians at the conference.

The clash occurred during a political panel focused on governance, the economy, petrol subsidy and the 2027 elections. Sowore had criticised the records of past officeholders and directly questioned Amaechi’s achievements as Rivers governor and Transportation Minister.

The activist argued that despite investments in major infrastructure, ordinary Nigerians remained exposed to the rising cost of living and the economic effects of petrol subsidy removal.

Amaechi, the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, pushed back strongly, defending his record and pointing to major projects including the Lagos-Ibadan and Abuja-Kaduna rail lines, as well as roads and schools delivered in Rivers State.

The disagreement escalated when Amaechi told Sowore to “close your mouth” while politicians were speaking, producing one of the most heated moments of the political session.

Sowore said the confrontation did not end with the panel. According to him, he called Amaechi afterwards and told him that he should apologise for the way he addressed him.

He said Amaechi instead invited him to his residence for food and a beer, but Sowore responded jokingly that he did not want to be poisoned.

Beyond the confrontation, Sowore used the incident to make a broader argument about the country’s democratic history, insisting that political leadership should not be defined exclusively by elected or appointed positions.

He said activists like himself who challenged military rule played a critical role in creating the democratic system that allowed politicians to rise to power and hold public office.

Sowore specifically argued that Amaechi would not have become Speaker, governor or minister if Nigeria had remained under military rule, describing politicians as beneficiaries of the struggle for democratic freedom.

The AAC candidate also questioned the practice of calling former governors “Excellency”, saying the real test of excellence should be whether a leader improves the everyday lives of citizens.

Sowore further returned to the issue of petrol subsidy, maintaining that he had consistently warned against removing the policy without functional alternatives and arguing that the current economic hardship had vindicated his position.