Nigerians Back Oba Amuseghan’s Appeal to Tinubu to Spare Sowore

By Paul Joseph

Nigerians have expressed mixed reactions to an appeal by the Paramount Ruler of Apoi Kingdom, Oba Professor Sunday Adejimola Amuseghan, asking President Bola Tinubu and security agencies to guarantee the safety of his son, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, with some comparing the activist to late rights campaigners Gani Fawehinmi and Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.

The monarch’s appeal, which urged the authorities to stop treating Sowore as an enemy and allow him to enjoy his constitutional rights, attracted comments from social media users, with some praising his intervention while others called on him to caution his son over his public conduct.

In his statement, Oba Amuseghan, the Paramount Ruler of Apoi Kingdom in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State and the Kalasuwe of Apoi Kingdom, appealed directly to the President and Nigerians to protect his son.

“I appeal to all Nigerians, particularly President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to guarantee the safety of my son, Comrade Omoyele Sowore,” he said.

“My son should not be treated as an enemy of the Federal Government, the state governors, the President or security agencies. Nigeria is facing serious challenges, including insecurity, political instability and economic difficulties. I urge the government to focus on addressing these problems and finding lasting solutions that will restore peace, stability and prosperity to our country.”

The monarch also called on Nigerians to work together towards building a better country, while appealing to the authorities to allow Sowore to exercise his rights as a Nigerian.

“I am a women’s rights activist, and I have been advocating for women’s rights since childhood. I therefore appeal to the authorities to give my son the freedom and space to live and breathe in Nigeria. He is a Nigerian by birth and deserves to enjoy his rights as a citizen,” he said.

Emphasising his son’s identity and connection to the kingdom, the traditional ruler declared:

“He is a freeborn Nigerian, a freeborn Apoi. I am Kalasuwe of Apoi.

“Please, leave my son alone.”

He ended the statement with prayers, saying: “May God protect you all. May God save Nigeria. This is our day. Amen.”

Among those who supported the monarch’s intervention was Yomi Adejumo, who commended him for speaking out and challenged suggestions that Sowore’s activism reflected poor parental upbringing.

Adejumo drew a comparison with the late human rights lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, who was widely known for challenging successive governments and speaking out on issues of justice and accountability.

“You have spoken well, though the sycophants will come for you as they’re already doing, forgetting that nothing lasts forever,” Adejumo wrote.

He further questioned whether those criticising Sowore’s upbringing would also describe Fawehinmi and other genuine human rights activists as poorly trained for speaking truth to government.

“ If Sowore is not trained well, as some of you are saying, meaning the likes of Chief Gani Fawehinmi of the blessed memories and other genuine human rights activists are not well trained for speaking the truth to the government to fix the country?” he asked.

Similarly, Kuforiji Oladipo Olukunle defended Sowore, arguing that the activist was ahead of many Nigerians in his approach to public issues.

“The perception of some Nigerians towards Omoyele Sowore was that he is wayward, but frankly speaking, he is hundred years ahead of some of us and we take that as offending,” Olukunle wrote.

He compared Sowore’s experience to that of late Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, recalling how Fela was criticised and labelled during his lifetime for challenging established practices through his music and public commentary.

Olukunle argued that many people now appreciate Fela’s philosophy and human rights advocacy, despite the criticism he faced while alive.

Daramola James also commended the monarch for speaking publicly about his son’s safety.

“Good of you Baba for voicing out. You have spoken and the whole world has noted this,” he wrote.

However, several commenters disagreed with Sowore’s approach and urged the monarch to advise his son to exercise restraint and show greater respect in his public engagements.

Philips Ogbebor questioned the monarch’s ability to influence his son’s conduct, writing: “Can’t you control your son? Tell him what it takes to be a leader.”

Olusegun Adetayo also reacted briefly, saying: “And that is why he is acting out of his senses.”

Otunba Reuben acknowledged Sowore’s leadership potential but argued that the activist needed to understand the difference between student activism and mainstream public life.

“You didn’t train your child in the way of thy Lord. You didn’t teach him that power is given by God. I don’t know if you taught him that there’s a time and season for everything,” Reuben wrote.

He added: “Sowore is a potential leader but he should learn the process of life. School life or aluta life is very, very different from public life.”

Reuben concluded by praying for divine guidance, saying: “May God guide and bless him with wisdom and knowledge to paddle the canoe of life.”

Dele Awoyomi also called on the monarch to caution his son against what he described as blackmail.

“Caution your son to stop blackmailing others, including those in authority. Those who come to equity must come with clean hands,” he wrote.

Oladele Afolabi similarly advised the monarch to teach Sowore better communication and respect for authority.

“Train your son to have manners of approach, and caution him to desist from acts of insubordination,” Afolabi wrote.

Awoyenmi Festus also urged the activist to respect older people, saying: “Tell your son to respect elderly persons, not only parents. Charity begins at home, as you elders say.”

Agbabiaka Olansile stressed the importance of parental guidance, writing: “Train your child how to talk and be careful of what he will say and the people he will talk about. Home training is the best.”

Ogundele Julius Adeniyi also criticised the monarch’s parenting, declaring: “Since you refused to train your son, or you trained him but he refused the training, then the public will definitely train him for you.”

Idowu Adekunle Joseph similarly argued that Sowore needed to learn to respect elders and constituted authority.

Beyond the criticism of his conduct, some social media users expressed concern about Sowore’s safety and urged him to exercise caution in his public engagements.

Sannie Adenrele Abubakar wrote: “It’s imperative Comrade Omoyele Sowore should behave well in order to avoid being harmed.”

Abiodun Elegbede also advised the activist to “tread it softly because the land is slippery”.

Oluyinka Opaniyan issued a further warning, writing: “Tell your son to draw back, or he may not live to tell the story.”

Ajani Oladeji, however, questioned the monarch’s decision to appeal publicly on behalf of his son, asking: “Is this the way a good father begs on behalf of his wayward son? Like father, like son.”

Some commenters also questioned whether Sowore was giving sufficient attention to his political ambitions and policy proposals.

Asiwaju Korede Ogunbanjo pointed out that Sowore was not only a human rights activist but also a political figure and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC).

“Is Sowore a human rights activist or a political party candidate?” Ogunbanjo asked.

He urged the activist to present his manifesto rather than engage in confrontations with the government.

“He should tell the public what he intends doing differently to improve the well-being of Nigerians,” he added.

Yomi Yusuff expressed a similar opinion, saying: “Nobody is against his ambition. Tell him to focus on his manifestos and also watch his no brake no jam mouth. Politics is not grahgrah.”

Banky Akinsiku also invoked biblical teaching on parental responsibility, writing: “The word of God says, train your child the way he should go so that when he becomes old, he will not depart from it.”

The reactions have highlighted differing public opinions about Sowore’s activism, political approach and the responsibility of government to protect citizens who openly criticise those in authority.

While some commenters supported Oba Amuseghan’s appeal and compared Sowore to prominent rights campaigners, others maintained that the activist needed to moderate his conduct, respect constituted authority and focus on presenting his political programmes.

The debate has also drawn attention to the relationship between freedom of expression, respect for authority and the role of activists in holding public officials accountable.