The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has questioned the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, that warranted the recent colloquium in his honour.
Sowore described the colloquium as an expression of sycophancy and condemned its extensive publicity at a time when Nigerians are grappling with economic hardship, insecurity and unemployment.
In a tweet posted on Monday night, Sowore said he watched the event being broadcast live on major television stations and questioned why it attracted prominent personalities.
“What exactly has @STinubu contributed to Nigerian society to warrant this elaborate colloquium, attended by so many ‘prominent personalities’ and broadcast across major television stations?” he asked.
He further questioned whether the event was organised to recognise genuine achievements or simply because Seyi Tinubu is the son of a sitting president.
“Is this about merit, or simply about being the son of a sitting president?” Sowore asked.
The human rights activist also recalled similar political spectacles during the administration of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, when marriages involving members of the presidential family and serving governors attracted significant political attention.
He argued that the relationships subsequently lost their political significance following Yar’Adua’s death, drawing a parallel with what he described as the current culture of celebrating proximity to political power.
Sowore said Nigeria should be holding the Tinubu administration accountable for the difficulties facing citizens rather than celebrating events he believes promote the president’s family.
“At a time when millions of Nigerians are struggling with hunger, unemployment, insecurity, and economic hardship brought about by his father, @officialABAT, we should be having national shaming of the Tinubu regime. Sad day!” he wrote.
The inaugural Seyi Tinubu Colloquium, themed Shaping the Future Together, was held at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos on Monday.
Politics Nigeria reports that the event brought together participants to discuss nation-building, youth inclusion in governance and Nigeria’s future.
Speaking at the gathering, Seyi Tinubu urged Nigerians to trust the Federal Government’s economic reforms, arguing that the policies were intended to create opportunities and secure a better future for younger generations.
He identified petrol subsidy removal, foreign exchange reforms and changes to the tax system as major decisions shaping the country’s economic direction.
“Removing the fuel subsidy, reforming the foreign exchange system and overhauling taxation are decisions about how Nigeria earns, spends and creates opportunities,” he said.
Acknowledging the difficulties associated with the reforms, Seyi said many households had experienced immediate hardship while waiting to feel their long-term benefits.
“Changes have not been easy. Families whose budgets have been stretched, the pain was immediate, the lasting improvement more difficult to feel and touch, yet they are no less real,” he said.
He also highlighted investments in infrastructure, power, mining, manufacturing and agriculture, arguing that they could improve productivity, connect producers to markets and generate employment.
Seyi defended his support for the President’s economic agenda, saying young Nigerians needed an economy in which hard work could translate into meaningful rewards.
“I support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms because we will inherit a future built by leaders of today,” he said.
He further called on young Nigerians to participate in leadership and ensure that decisions taken by the current generation benefit those who come after them.
