The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, has accused human rights activist Omoyele Sowore of dishonesty over claims that he helped him gain admission to the University of Lagos (UNILAG) after his expulsion from the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN).
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Basiru, in a response posted on X, rejected Sowore’s account of their relationship, insisting that he secured admission to study Law at UNILAG strictly on merit.
He disclosed that he scored 310 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), claiming that it was the highest score among applicants to the university’s Faculty of Law in his admission year.
“Yele, you are outrightly dishonest writing that: ‘We provided them with an enabling environment to apply to re-enter the university, gain admission, and study Law at the University of Lagos,’” Basiru wrote.
“I did not have any relationship with you before I got admitted to the University of Lagos.”
The APC chieftain maintained that his academic performance, rather than assistance from Sowore or anyone else, earned him admission.
“In fact, I got 310 in my UTME exam to gain admission to the University of Lagos and that was the best score for all applicants to the law faculty the year of my admission. So I was admitted on merit,” he stated.
“It is outright falsehood to say you or anyone provided me with any enabling environment to get admission to the University of Lagos.”
The exchange followed Basiru’s appearance on Channels Television’s *Politics Today* on Wednesday, during which he dismissed Sowore as a skit maker and comedian while questioning his political relevance.
Reacting on Thursday, Sowore recalled their involvement in pro-democracy activism during the military era.
He shared a photograph he said was taken with Basiru in 1998, when he led the Congress of Progressive Youths (COPY).
Sowore alleged that Basiru was expelled from UNILORIN in 1992 over student activism and subsequently received assistance from fellow activists to continue his education at UNILAG.
“I received him alongside Kunle Adegoke, popularly known as ‘K-Rad,’ who is now a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). We provided them with an enabling environment to apply to re-enter the university, gain admission, and study Law at the University of Lagos,” Sowore wrote.
He said both men eventually graduated with flying colours.
Sowore also criticised Basiru for dismissing his political activities as comedy, arguing that their shared history in the struggle against military dictatorship should not be forgotten.
“The struggle for justice, democracy, freedom and the preservation of human dignity is neither skit-making nor comedy,” he said.
However, Basiru stood by his earlier description of Sowore as a comedian, saying he did not believe the activist had a realistic chance of winning a presidential election.
“I honestly mean my statement that you are a comedian as I do not believe you yourself believe you have any chance in winning the contest for president of Nigeria, at least for now,” Basiru wrote.
He further dismissed Sowore’s claims of revolutionary credentials, accusing him of misleading young Nigerians about his political history.
“Leave your sanctimonious harangue to the unsuspecting young people you are lying to that you are a revolutionary or freedom fighter,” he added.
The disagreement comes amid political exchanges ahead of the 2027 general election.
Basiru’s claim that he scored 310 and recorded the highest mark among Law applicants in his admission year has not been independently verified.
Similarly, Sowore’s claim that he helped facilitate Basiru’s admission remains disputed by the APC national secretary.
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