Sowore Says He Would Reject National Award, Threatens to Sue Tinubu

Activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has said he would reject any national award from President Bola Tinubu and would even take legal action if his name were ever included on the list.

Sowore made the statement following the release of the 2025 Democracy Day National Honours list, which did not include him—despite his long-standing role in Nigeria’s pro-democracy movement.

Reacting on social media, Sowore said being listed would be defamatory, noting that he would not only decline the award but also sue the president.

“If I were mistakenly included by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his ‘National Award’ list, I would not only reject and denounce the award but also take definitive legal action for defamation,” he wrote.

Many Nigerians had expected Sowore to be named among the honorees in recognition of his activism and contributions to the fight for democracy.