Sowore, Basiru Trade Words Over Alleged UNILORIN Expulsion, UNILAG Admission

A political dispute has erupted between African Action Congress (AAC) leader Omoyele Sowore and All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretary Ajibola Basiru over their student activism days, with Sowore claiming he helped Basiru secure admission to the University of Lagos (UNILAG) after an alleged expulsion from the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN).

The controversy intensified on Thursday after Sowore recalled their alleged encounter during the pro-democracy struggles of the 1990s. Basiru, however, rejected the claim, insisting that he gained admission to study Law at UNILAG on academic merit.

The exchange followed Basiru’s appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, where he reportedly dismissed Sowore as a comedian and skit maker while questioning his political relevance and presidential ambition. Basiru also challenged the AAC leader to demonstrate his electoral strength by winning a seat in a state House of Assembly.

In response, Sowore invoked their shared history in student activism, arguing that their past involvement in the struggle against military rule made Basiru’s remarks particularly disappointing. He also shared a photograph he said was taken with Basiru in 1998, when Sowore was associated with the Congress of Progressive Youths (COPY).

Sowore alleged that Basiru and Kunle Adegoke, popularly known as K-Rad, were expelled from UNILORIN in 1992 over their involvement in student activism. He claimed that he subsequently helped both men pursue admission to UNILAG to study Law.

Adegoke has since become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). Sowore cited the episode as part of his account of the relationships and assistance that emerged from the student movement during that period.

The AAC leader maintained that his involvement in the struggles of the era went beyond political posturing, insisting that the movement was driven by the pursuit of justice, freedom, democracy and human dignity. He appeared to take particular exception to Basiru’s portrayal of him as an entertainer rather than a serious political figure.

Basiru swiftly dismissed Sowore’s account in a post on X, denying that the activist helped him gain admission to UNILAG. He maintained that he had no relationship with Sowore before entering the university and attributed his admission to his academic performance.

The APC national secretary further claimed that he scored 310 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), describing the result as the highest among applicants to UNILAG’s Faculty of Law in his admission year. The claimed score and ranking have not been independently verified.

Basiru also reiterated his doubts about Sowore’s prospects of winning the presidency, accusing him of misleading young Nigerians with his revolutionary credentials. His response shifted the disagreement from their alleged shared history to a broader contest over political credibility and electoral relevance.

Sowore, for his part, accused Basiru of abandoning the democratic ideals they allegedly defended during the military era. He argued that political positions were temporary and that those who once opposed oppression should remain committed to the principles of freedom and justice.

The disagreement has brought renewed attention to the political histories of the two figures as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general election. While Sowore insists he played a role in helping Basiru pursue university admission, Basiru maintains that his entry into UNILAG was earned entirely on merit. The conflicting accounts remain unresolved, with neither side’s central claim independently established.