African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has pledged that, if elected president in 2027, his administration will reverse the naming of public infrastructure after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other political leaders. The activist-politician argued that national monuments should not be named after serving leaders or individuals whose legacies remain subjects of public debate.
AAC presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has weighed into the growing debate over the Federal Government’s decision to rename the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, declaring that such decisions would be reversed if he wins the 2027 presidential election.
Sowore said public assets belong to Nigerians and should reflect the country’s history, geography and national values rather than serve as monuments to political office holders.
According to Sowore, naming major public facilities after serving presidents projects the wrong democratic values.
He argued that leaders should earn historical recognition through their contributions, adding that such honours are better considered after they have left office rather than while they still wield political power.
The AAC flagbearer said one of the symbolic actions of his administration, if elected in 2027, would be to review and reverse the names of public infrastructure dedicated to Tinubu and other former leaders.
He maintained that national landmarks should carry names that unite Nigerians instead of becoming reminders of partisan politics or personality cults.
Sowore’s comments come shortly after the Federal Government announced that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway would henceforth be known as the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway.
Minister of Works David Umahi defended the decision, saying Tinubu conceived the coastal road project decades before becoming president and therefore deserved the recognition. That announcement immediately generated mixed reactions across the political spectrum.
Political analysts say the controversy reflects a broader national conversation about how governments choose to honour public officials.
While supporters argue that landmark achievements deserve recognition, critics insist that naming public infrastructure after serving leaders risks politicising national assets and weakening institutional traditions.
No official response had been issued by the Presidency regarding Sowore’s latest remarks as of the time of filing this report.
With political activity ahead of the 2027 elections gradually gathering momentum, debates over governance, public institutions and national symbols are increasingly becoming part of campaign conversations. Sowore’s latest comments add another dimension to that discussion, even as the Federal Government stands by its decision to honour President Tinubu through the renamed coastal highway.