Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 election, has revealed that the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has placed him on a watchlist, effectively restricting his movements out of the country.
Sowore made this disclosure through a statement and video posted on X.com (formerly Twitter) on Friday. He expressed frustration over what he described as ongoing harassment from immigration authorities.

“The Nigerian Immigration Service continues to subject me to unwarranted harassment and abuse, violating my rights repeatedly,” Sowore said. “Today, again, they stopped me on my way out of Nigeria, claiming I am placed on their WATCHLIST!”

The video shared by Sowore showed him confronting an NIS officer at the airport, where he requested to speak with a superior for more clarification on his status.

This latest incident follows Sowore’s earlier arrest in September at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, where immigration officials detained him and seized his international passport. Despite the obstacles, Sowore later confirmed that his passport was returned, and he was eventually able to depart from the airport.

Sowore, the publisher of the investigative online newspaper Sahara Report, has been a staunch critic of the Nigerian government. Over the years, he has faced numerous legal challenges and detentions, particularly due to his outspoken views and activism.

In his statement, Sowore reaffirmed his determination to continue speaking out despite the continued pressure from authorities.