Yesterday saw the culmination of a year’s journey and the only emotion I can muster is one of pride and gratitude. Immense, indescribable pride at a people who took a dream and made it their own.
people who defied every stereotypical slur levelled at them and rose above the stench of corruption to dare to dream of a Nigeria that works for us all. Over the last year, you have shown tremendous support; you attended town hall meetings and asked the pertinent questions that helped to shape our policies into a manifesto for the future. You raised funds – a phenomenon previously unseen in Nigerian politics and initially mocked as dead on arrival. Our diaspora supporters donated over $165,000 and went above and beyond monetary donations to call friends and family back home to convince them of the new revolution sweeping the land.
And still, you went further. You stood in the gap every time we were oppressed and excluded. We stood shoulder to shoulder to fight for Nigeria’s democracy when INEC decided to cease PVC registration – a protest that led to the extension of the registration process by a fortnight. Six of our supporters were unjustly arrested for pasting posters while I was out of the country, a “crime” for which they were incarcerated for three days. I was anxious but I needn’t have worried. You stood in the gap, clamouring once again for justice. And when the cabals tried every weapon in their arsenal to silence us, excluding us from debates and muting our television appearances, I looked over my shoulder and you were right there, protesting and raising awareness over the injustice. Your doggedness turned their attempts into our triumphs with the AAC message being heard on televised town hall meetings and a recognised presidential debate. I couldn’t ask for more. You have shown that Nigerians hunger for a society that works for us all, not just for the elite, select few. You have fought long, hard and relentlessly. And now, we wait. But whatever the results bring, I want every single supporter to know that I am proud of them, I thank them, and Nigeria thanks them for their selfless service to their nation. Nigeria MUST progress, and yesterday, you took us a step towards a brighter future. Thank you. Omoyele Sowore Presidential Candidate African Action Congress
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