RismadarVoice Reporters
September 13, 2026
The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has promised to introduce a ₦500,000 monthly living minimum wage for Nigerian workers if elected president in the 2027 general elections.
Sowore, an activist and publisher, also pledged that an AAC-led government would pursue 24-hour electricity supply, free and accessible education at all levels, expanded healthcare access and the construction of one million public mixed-income homes.
He made the promises in an interview with Independent, while outlining the party’s policy agenda ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Sowore said the AAC would pursue what he described as “revolutionary justice and equal rights”, arguing that Nigeria’s natural resources and economic wealth should produce improved living conditions for the wider population.
He said the proposed ₦500,000 minimum wage was intended to provide workers with a living income rather than what he described as inadequate wages.
According to him, an AAC administration would also prioritise reliable electricity, arguing that sustained dependence on private generators was incompatible with the development of a modern industrial economy.
On education, Sowore promised free access at all levels, saying poverty should not prevent Nigerian children from receiving education.
The AAC candidate also proposed the construction of one million public mixed-income homes and changes to tenancy laws to reduce the pressure created by demands for one or two years’ rent in advance.
He said healthcare should be treated as a right and pledged to reduce the circumstances that force Nigerians to seek medical treatment abroad.
Sowore further promised to industrialise the Nigerian economy, expand agricultural production and processing, rebuild infrastructure and create what he described as dignified employment opportunities.
On security, he said his administration would reform the policing and wider security architecture, improve the welfare of security personnel and deploy modern technology, including drones and advanced intelligence systems, to tackle insecurity.
He also pledged an aggressive anti-corruption programme, including efforts to recover public resources allegedly stolen by political officeholders.
Sowore said the AAC would run what he described as a “people-funded campaign” rather than depend on wealthy individuals, political patrons or established political godfathers.
The activist argued that Nigerians were increasingly prepared to support a left-wing political alternative, saying decades of governments operating under capitalist policies had failed to adequately address poverty and inequality.
He described the AAC’s proposed political programme as practical socialism, centred on universal education, healthcare, decent housing, electricity, living wages and social protection.
Sowore also criticised the economic policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, saying an AAC government would reverse what he described as the underlying philosophy of the current administration’s economic programme.
He said his government would assess economic policies primarily by their impact on the material conditions and welfare of Nigerians.
On security during the 2027 campaign, Sowore said he would demand professionalism from security agencies and insist that his constitutional rights be respected.
He argued that police officers, soldiers and intelligence personnel were public servants and should not be used as private security for political officeholders or political parties.
Sowore, who said he had previously been arrested, detained, prosecuted and attacked under different administrations, said such experiences would not deter him from participating actively in the political process.
He also pledged to improve the welfare of security personnel and strengthen professionalism within the country’s security institutions.
Sowore emerged as the AAC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election after being selected by consensus. He contested the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections but recorded relatively low vote totals.
Despite those previous results, he said the AAC’s prospects for 2027 were stronger, arguing that the party had maintained its independence from political godfathers, governors and wealthy patrons.
The activist said the party would focus on grassroots mobilisation, with campaign structures extending to wards, polling units, communities, campuses, markets and workplaces.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has formally listed Sowore among the 18 presidential candidates announced for the 2027 general election.
The election is expected to feature a wide range of political parties and candidates, with economic conditions, security, employment, electricity, public services and governance likely to remain central issues in the campaign.
