Sowore to US: Don’t just ban Yahoo boys — ban ‘Yahoo politicians’ Tinubu, Akpabio, Wike too

Human rights activist and AAC presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has challenged the US government to extend its newly announced visa restrictions beyond internet fraud suspects to include Nigerian politicians he accuses of looting public resources, specifically naming President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Femi Gbajabiamila and Nyesom Wike.

Omoyele Sowore has a question for Washington — and he is not asking it quietly.

The African Action Congress presidential candidate and human rights activist fired back on Friday following the US government’s announcement of new visa restrictions targeting alleged internet fraudsters — commonly known as Yahoo boys — and certain family members believed to have benefitted from or facilitated such activities.

Sowore argued that the policy was dangerously selective, shielding politically connected individuals accused of far larger-scale theft while penalising street-level cybercrime suspects. As reported by Sahara Reporters, he took his challenge directly to social media, naming names without hesitation.

“How about the Yahoo politicians, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Femi Gbajabiamila, Nyesom Wike and others, who have looted Nigeria, wrecked its institutions and impoverished millions?” Sowore wrote.

He pressed further, demanding that visa bans be extended to the families and proxies of accused political figures. “When will foreign governments impose visa bans on them, their spouses, their children who are sent to school abroad with stolen funds, and the proxies who help them move and enjoy stolen public wealth abroad?” he asked.

Sowore maintained that international sanctions must apply consistently across all categories of alleged financial crime. “Sanctions should not be reserved for street-level criminals (Yahoo boys) alone while politically connected looters travel freely and live lavishly overseas,” he stated.

The activist has consistently called for both domestic and international accountability measures against Nigerian public officials accused of corruption across successive administrations.

The US visa restriction announcement targeted individuals allegedly involved in cybercrime and relatives believed to have benefitted from or enabled such activities. No official US government response to Sowore’s challenge had been issued as of the time of this report.