Sowore: Global Interest Keeps Nigeria Dependent on Oil

In a recent podcast held by Honest Bunch, published on YouTube, the former AAC presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, shared his views on the global interest in Nigeria. According to Sowore, there is a global interest in keeping Nigeria the way it is so that oil can keep flowing in the direction of multinationals. This perspective highlights concerns about Nigeria’s economic sovereignty and its relationship with global powers.

Sowore’s Claims of Global Conspiracy

Sowore suggests there are people whose mission is to ensure that Nigeria doesn’t progress so that the Black man doesn’t find his feet. He argues that anyone fighting them is fighting that global economic interest and that was made clear during Ken Saro-Wiwa’s death. He states that the world could have saved Ken Saro-Wiwa [Source needed]. Even Mandela refused to make the call to Abacha—or he said he called Abacha, and Abacha didn’t pick up [Source needed]. Sowore believes that because Ken Saro-Wiwa pressed the red button, which is oil, they let him die.

The Importance of Oil and Gas

Sowore points out that Ogoni land has over sixty-two billion cubic feet of gas—this is not even oil! He suggests that while oil is going out of business, gas is going to be around for a long time, and that is what they are interested in protecting. He claims when Saro-Wiwa started saying, “We own the thing,” they were like, “What’s your problem now, guy?” And they finished him.

The Case of Nnamdi Kanu

Sowore also draws a parallel between Saro-Wiwa’s death and Nnamdi Kanu’s abduction, calling it a “global conspiracy.” He questions how Kanu was kidnapped in Kenya and brought to Nigeria, stating that there is no manifest of the plane that brought him till today and even judges cannot ask for it.

Implications of Sowore’s Statements on Nigeria

The implications of Sowore’s statements are far-reaching. If his claims are accurate, it suggests that Nigeria faces significant obstacles in its pursuit of economic development and political stability. Overcoming these challenges would require a multifaceted approach, including strengthening domestic institutions, diversifying the economy beyond oil and gas, and fostering greater transparency and accountability in governance. Furthermore, it would necessitate a critical examination of Nigeria’s relationships with foreign powers and a willingness to assert its own interests on the global stage. The discussion initiated by Sowore’s podcast appearance underscores the need for a national conversation about Nigeria’s place in the world and the forces that shape its destiny.

Sowore’s reference to Ken Saro-Wiwa’s death and Nnamdi Kanu’s abduction serves as examples to bolster his claim of a global conspiracy against Nigeria’s progress. The execution of Saro-Wiwa, despite international outcry, is seen by some as a demonstration of the lengths to which external actors will go to protect their economic interests in the Niger Delta region. Similarly, the circumstances surrounding Kanu’s arrest and extradition from Kenya remain shrouded in mystery, fueling suspicions of foreign involvement. These events, according to Sowore and others, highlight the vulnerability of Nigerian activists and leaders who challenge the existing power structures.

Omoyele Sowore’s assertions on the Honest Bunch podcast shed light on a perspective that resonates with many Nigerians: the belief that external forces benefit from the country’s current state. His argument centers on the idea that multinational corporations and global powers are incentivized to maintain the status quo in Nigeria to ensure the continued flow of oil and gas resources. This perspective suggests that any attempts to challenge this economic structure are met with resistance, potentially even interference, from these external actors. Sowore’s statements raise critical questions about Nigeria’s sovereignty and its ability to chart its own course in the face of powerful global interests.

Sowore has also recently criticized the current administration, with Sowore: Tinubu’s govt most corrupt in Nigeria’s history. He also stated that Nigerians have lost hope in democracy and that Nigeria is finished under Tinubu, Shettima.