Whoever knows about his background needs no convincing to know that Omoyele Sowore, the publisher of the globally acclaimed Sahara Reporters is a man of strong convictions. He likes to fight for the cause of the oppressed. This perhaps was one of the motivating factors behind his decision to establish Sahara Reporters, an online news agency he has nurtured from its infancy in 2006 to one of the most vibrant sources of news in Nigeria today. Hate him or love him, you cannot ignore Sowore’s Sahara Reporters, particularly if you operate in the Nigerian histrionic political space.

In the past couple of days, information has been circulating in the social media that Sowore is desirous of contesting the 2019 presidential election. I have followed the comments passed by many Nigerians on the development and I find quite a lot of them inspirational while some were downright flippant. One even complained about his hairstyle, while completely ignoring the depth of his character or the profundity of his ideas. Some asked him to go and contest for lower offices like George Weah did in Liberia before aspiring for the highest office in the land. What they failed to factor in is that if you are a disruptor, you don’t have to follow any tradition, particularly if your disruptions do not offend societal sensibilities.

Personally, I am delighted that Sowore, a friend and brother was audacious enough to join the presidential race. Everyone knows how murky the Nigerian political terrain can be. That is why millions of decent men opted to stay aloof and watch from a safe distance while our Rome burns, with far reaching consequences on our lives as a collective. Media mogul, Chief Dele Momodu gave it a shot years back in 2011 but rather than backing him, many of our youths largely scorned the move. Yet, they have the numbers to turn the tide of what many described as the rudderless ship of state.

This is a new dawn for Nigerian politics. I have been seeing exciting names like our adorable Kanu Nwnakwo, Fela Durotoye, the former CBN Deputy Governor, Professor Kingsley Moghalu (not exactly a young man but I love the values he stands for) and several others. The Nigerian youths can only hope to take their country back when they realise the power they wield and decide to support one of their own at the polls.

The Sowore I know is a young and principled man who has a deep passion for the welfare of the downtrodden. He has many of the characteristics I will like to see in a future Nigerian leader. He is a wealth creator, he is prudent, he is eager to make a GENUINE change. He is also very hardworking. While running Sahara Reporters, he was also working as a Lecturer at Columbia University, a top Ivy league University for more than ten years. He loves to support social causes and social movements.

I hope Sowore will pursue this ambition all the way. Good luck to a dogged fighter.