Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, has said former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi benefited from the pro-democracy struggle that helped end military rule in Nigeria.   Sowore made the claim during an interview with Arise Television on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, while discussing his heated exchange with Amaechi at the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, conference in Port Harcourt on Monday. The confrontation occurred during a political session at the NBA conference, where Sowore criticised former public officials and questioned their records in office. He also criticised Amaechi’s handling of infrastructure and transportation projects. Amaechi, who served as Rivers governor from 2007 to 2015 and later as Minister of Transportation, defended his record by highlighting projects undertaken during his time in office. During the exchange, he told Sowore to “close your mouth” while experienced politicians were speaking. Sowore: Democracy struggle created political space Reflecting on the confrontation, Sowore said he contacted Amaechi afterwards and asked him to apologise. He argued that his years of activism and involvement in the pro-democracy movement helped create the democratic environment in which politicians such as Amaechi could hold public office. “If I did not fight for democracy, Rotimi Amaechi would not be standing there yesterday,” Sowore said. He added that if Nigeria had remained under military rule, Amaechi would not have become Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, governor or minister. Sowore also rejected suggestions that he lacks the experience required to seek the presidency, saying his experience came from his activism and campaign for democracy and good governance. Sowore defends political experience The AAC candidate said leadership experience should not be measured solely by previous occupancy of government office. He said his political experience was built through his advocacy for democracy and good governance, arguing that political leadership requires conviction, vision and the ability to bring people together to achieve results. Sowore also maintained his opposition to the removal of petrol subsidy, saying he had warned that the policy would worsen economic hardship. The comments come as Sowore and Amaechi continue to trade criticisms following their NBA conference confrontation, with both men positioning themselves ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 political contest. Amaechi is the African Democratic Congress, ADC, vice-presidential candidate, while Sowore is seeking the presidency on the AAC platform.