[2][4] On 3 August 2019, Omoyele Sowore was arrested by the Nigerian State Security Service (SSS), for alleged treason after calling for a protest tagged RevolutionNow.
[12][13][14] Sowore studied Geography and Planning at the University of Lagos, from 1989 to 1995, his academic program extended by additional two years, after he was expelled twice for political reasons and student activism.
[16] In 1989, he participated in student demonstrations protesting the conditions of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan of $120 million to be used for a Nigerian oil pipeline.
[18] A journalist, Niyi Babade, in his yet to be published memoir, also acknowledges Sowore's stride in the 12 June struggle - "Unannounced, they came out of an unmarked grey vehicle and saw the ugly scenes, then opened fire on all of us.
I spent some quality time in my resting place, the gutter, till I heard the singing voices of the students of the University of Lagos led by Yele Sowore (now a Sahara reporter), heading to Abiola’s house.
I crawled out of my hiding and tried to get an exclusive shot when the hoodlums among the students attacked me and wanted to confiscate my camera but with the heroic effort of Sowore, I was spared and allowed to join them, as one of the hoodlums and a journalist which then gave me unlimited access to exclusive footage of the day, till we got to Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola’s house.
[25] On 24 September 2019, Sowore was granted bail by the Federal High Court Abuja, on the condition that he surrender his international passport within forty-eight hours.
[29] On 8 December 2021, The Federal High Court, Abuja, ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to pay Omoyele Sowore, 2 million Naira over the unlawful seizure of his mobile phone in 2019 at the point of his arrest.
[30] In March 2022, it was reported that Omoyele Sowore, sued the Nigeria Police Force and three others at the Federal High Court, Abuja, over violation of his fundamental human rights.
[31] In September 2024, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) detained Sowore at the Murtala Muhammed airport upon his arrival from the United States as he was alleged to be planning another protest on October, he was released after a brief detention and passport seizure according to the post on his Verified X (formerly Twitter) handle.
[38] On 6 October 2018, following successful primary elections at the AAC's national convention, Omoyele Sowore emerged unchallenged as the Presidential Candidate for the party.