Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, has declared that he will never seek medical treatment abroad if elected into Nigeria’s highest office. He stated that he would rather succumb to any illness that cannot be successfully managed within the country’s healthcare system.
Sowore made these remarks during a recent appearance on Channels Television’s flagship political program, Politics Today. The activist-turned-politician emphasized his commitment to ending the culture of medical tourism among Nigeria’s ruling class, which has long been criticized for draining public resources while domestic hospitals remain underfunded.
A Radical Stance Against Medical Tourism
Addressing his personal health management plan should he win the presidency, Sowore expressed strong confidence in domestic solutions, framing it as a matter of accountability. He challenged the status quo where public officials fly abroad for minor and major medical issues at the taxpayers’ expense.
“Any sickness that I can’t treat in Nigeria when I become president should better kill me. I can tell you that for free,” Sowore asserted during the live interview, underlining his resolve to face the same reality as ordinary citizens.
No Constitutional Role for ‘First Lady’
In addition to his vows regarding healthcare, the AAC flagbearer promised to streamline governance by refusing to fund the unconstitutional Office of the First Lady. Sowore argued that the position is a pipeline for financial waste and serves as an unnecessary liability to the nation’s treasury.
While clarifying that his presidency would not affect his marriage, he insisted that his spouse would not hold any public office or manage public funds. He outlined his vision for governance reforms, which includes:
- Abolishing the Office of the First Lady: Saving public funds by refusing to finance an unconstitutional institution.
- Reducing Family Liabilities: Ensuring that relatives do not play official, state-funded roles in his administration.
- Empowering Women Systematically: Supporting women through constitutional and legal frameworks rather than symbolic, unelected offices.
“I’m not bringing family liabilities back to Nigeria,” Sowore explained. “There is no office of First Lady in the Nigerian Constitution. Becoming president will not abolish my marriage, but I will not have the office of First Lady. Women will be heard, but I don’t believe that you need a First Lady who is holding an unconstitutional position and just wasting money that is meant for progress and projects.”
Sowore’s bold declarations come as part of his early campaign promises for the 2027 elections, aiming to distinguish his platform from traditional political parties by focusing on austerity measures, constitutionalism, and structural reforms.