June 12: Sowore stumbles as police disperse Abuja protesters with teargas

Activist and African Action Congress (AAC) 2027 presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, reportedly stumbled on Friday after police fired teargas at protesters during a Democracy Day demonstration in Abuja. The protest was part of a nationwide action organised by a coalition of civil society organisations, labour activists, youth groups and social movements. The coalition had designated […]

Activist and African Action Congress (AAC) 2027 presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, reportedly stumbled on Friday after police fired teargas at protesters during a Democracy Day demonstration in Abuja.

The protest was part of a nationwide action organised by a coalition of civil society organisations, labour activists, youth groups and social movements.

The coalition had designated June 12 for mass demonstrations to draw attention to rising economic hardship, insecurity and worsening living conditions across the country.

The planned protest was announced in a joint statement signed by human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Yinka Folarin, organiser of the #EndBadGovernance Movement, Hassan Soweto, and musician and activist Falz.

The Abuja protest turned tense after security personnel reportedly deployed teargas to disperse the crowd. Videos circulating on social media showed Sowore on the ground as protesters gathered around him in an apparent effort to assist him.

Footage shared by X user ChuksEricE showed the activist lying on the pavement while several protesters attempted to revive him by fanning him with placards amid the confusion.

During the incident, voices in the crowd could be heard raising alarm over the situation. Some protesters were heard shouting that police had begun firing teargas and that Sowore had collapsed.

As the crowd struggled to regain order, Sowore was eventually assisted into a vehicle. Videos showed him covering his nose with a red handkerchief while those around him continued fanning him.

A woman in one of the recordings was heard saying that additional teargas was still being fired.

After the vehicle moved away from the protest area, Sowore was asked about his condition. He responded that he was okay.

Additional eyewitness videos showed protesters scrambling for safety as teargas spread through the area and security operatives continued efforts to disperse the gathering.