A social media user identified as Bakrshah has criticised human rights activist and political figure Omoyele Sowore over his recent message celebrating the people of Owo Kingdom during the 2026 Igogo Festival.
Sowore had congratulated the people of Owo Kingdom on the cultural festival, describing Igogo as a “rich, authentic and captivating display of culture and tradition.”
Responding to the post, Bakrshah accused Sowore of hypocrisy, questioning whether the activist would extend similar recognition to cultural celebrations across Nigeria's numerous ethnic communities.
“Stop the hypocrisy, you are greeting the religious group from your tribe. I hope you can keep it up for all the religious groups of all the 200 plus tribes?” Bakrshah wrote.
The commentator also criticised what he described as Sowore's ideological approach to politics, arguing that political ideals must be balanced with practical governance.
“Ideology that lacks practicality is what defines Sowore's political ambition,” the post stated.
Bakrshah further invoked the example of former South African President Nelson Mandela, arguing that Mandela had to balance ideology with political pragmatism in order to maintain national unity.
“Anybody that can apply practicality to governance will always fail... even the great Mandela had to temper ideology for practicality in order to keep South Africa united,” he wrote.
The comments represent Bakrshah's political opinion and did not provide specific evidence to substantiate the accusation that Sowore's festival greeting was motivated by tribal considerations.
Sowore's original message was directed at the people of Owo Kingdom as they celebrated the Igogo Festival. He said Nigerians routinely greet Christians and Muslims during religious celebrations and argued that cultural celebrations also deserved recognition.
The 2026 Igogo Festival is being held in Owo, Ondo State, with the official programme running from August 30 to September 26. The festival celebrates Owo's cultural heritage and the traditional story associated with Queen Oronsen.
The Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation also lists the Igogo Festival as an annual cultural celebration in Owo, Ondo State, held in September.
Sowore's message and the subsequent response have generated another debate around culture, identity and political ideology, with Bakrshah using the occasion to question whether political principles can be effectively translated into practical governance.
The exchange highlights the increasingly broad political discussions surrounding Sowore as the 2027 election approaches, with supporters and critics examining his positions on governance, ideology, national unity and political strategy.
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