Sowore, Amaechi Clash at NBA Conference as Obi Gives Conditions for Coalition

PHOTO (L/R): Sowore, Amaechi and Obi

By Temitope Adebiyi, Correspondent

Rotimi Amaechi, the Vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), clashed yesterday at the opening plenary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State

During a session titled “Politics, People and Nigeria’s Future,” a dramatic exchange erupted between Sowore and  Amaechi—representing Atiku Abubakar—over whether opposition parties can unite to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and whether former public office holders deserve another chance at leadership.

The most dramatic moment of the session occurred when Sowore challenged Amaechi’s position on subsidies and the records of past politicians.

Sowore accused politicians of misleading Nigerians about fuel subsidies, then used Amaechi’s own admission that many presidential hopefuls had previously held public office to press his attack.

“They have no business coming back. You guys should be apologising to the Nigerian people,” Sowore said.

Amaechi immediately interrupted to correct him.

“Let me say one more thing. Stop lying. I said, judge us by our achievements,” he fired back.

Turning directly to Amaechi, Sowore questioned the effectiveness of the controversial monorail project built during his time as Rivers State Governor..

In response, Amaechi reframed the debate around electoral viability. He told the audience that making strong arguments to lawyers at the conference would not win Sowore the 2027 presidency.

Also at the venue, the Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) counterpart Peter Obi gave conditions for coalition.

Obi said he remained open to a coalition, provided it is based on a clear purpose and the objective of rescuing Nigeria from its current challenges.

He said: “When you talk about coalition, the first thing to ask, coalition for what? If the coalition is for good governance, to tackle the issues affecting Nigeria, I agree on it and I still think it can be achieved.”

Obi said any coalition must examine the background, competence, capacity, commitment and character of those involved.

He added: “If we have somebody who I’m convinced will do that work, of course, yes, we’re already talking with each other. How do we come together?”

For Obi, the most important requirement was “unity of purpose” to change Nigeria and restore effective governance.

But Sowore disagreed with Atiku and Obi that a coalition is needed to defeat President Tinubu.

He believes that Nigerians, rather than politicians seeking to preserve the old order, would determine the outcome of the election.

He said: “To go straight to the point, I disagree with you that we need an opposition to defeat the incumbent.”

Sowore argued that an opposition alliance without ideological differences from the government it seeks to replace would not produce meaningful change.

He added: “If you support removal of fuel subsidy, you are not different from the government in power.

“If you support and live a corrupt lifestyle, you are not different from the government in power.”

Sowore said Nigerians must look beyond personalities and ask what prospective leaders intend to change.

He said: “It is the people, the Nigerian people, that will defeat the incumbent, not their friends who do not want to change the old order.”

Sowore also said he would only work with politicians genuinely committed to changing the country.

He added: “If anybody is willing to change the country, I will work with the person. But I will not work with anybody who simply wants to replace the old order with an older, even ricketier order.