The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has defended his party’s request to use the Presidential Villa for a campaign event, arguing that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) should not deny opposition parties access to a public facility it allegedly uses for political activities.
Sowore made the position known during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Thursday, October 22, 2026, where he accused the APC of treating the seat of presidential power as an extension of its party office.
According to him, the ruling party should not enjoy exclusive access to facilities within the Presidential Villa for its political engagements while opposition parties are denied similar opportunities.
“If the APC can use the Presidential Villa for its political activities with catering, logistics, and security provided, we are entitled to the same,” Sowore said.
He further alleged that the APC had used the Villa for meetings, launches and, on some occasions, weddings.
The AAC candidate said his party would be willing to pay for the proposed use of the facility if the ruling party could produce receipts showing payments for its own previous engagements at the Presidential Villa’s banquet hall.
Sowore’s comments followed a request by the AAC to President Bola Tinubu seeking permission to hold the inauguration of its Presidential Campaign Council at Aso Rock on November 11, 2026.
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The party’s proposal reportedly included catering and logistics arrangements for about 5,000 guests.
However, the request attracted criticism from APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, who dismissed Sowore as a “skit maker”.
The AAC candidate has maintained that the Presidential Villa is public property and argued that access to its facilities should not be determined by political affiliation.
His position has brought renewed attention to questions about the use of government facilities for party activities and whether opposition parties should receive similar consideration when making official requests.
Sowore is seeking the presidency under the AAC in the 2027 general election.
