Lere Olayinka, the senior special adviser on media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has intensified his criticism of prominent activist and political figure Omoyele Sowore, this time alleging that the former presidential candidate is funding his son’s elite education in the United States through questionable financial practices.
In a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Olayinka claimed that Sowore is paying over ₦250 million annually to sponsor his 14-year-old son, Komi, at one of New Jersey’s most exclusive private schools.
According to the post, Komi is currently enrolled at the Dwight-Englewood School, a prestigious co-educational institution located in Englewood, Bergen County, which serves students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12.
Olayinka alleged that the school’s tuition for a single term is approximately $54,605 (equivalent to about ₦85 million), and the annual bill amounts to around $163,815 (about ₦250 million), excluding other expenses.
He also mentioned a separate $700 fee for an iPad, suggesting that the spending pattern sharply contrasts with Sowore’s public image as a social justice advocate and anti-corruption crusader.
“The ‘Cashtivist’ Sowore is paying $163,815 per annum as tuition fee plus $700 for iPad on his 14-year-old son! That’s how he is lavishing the millions he is getting from blackmailing people and the millions of dollars in grants he is receiving from his ‘activism business,’” Olayinka wrote.
The term “Cashtivist” appears to be a jab at Sowore’s blend of activism and fundraising, with Olayinka implying that the activist’s operations have become more of a lucrative venture than a genuine political or social movement.
He accused Sowore of leveraging his influence in the media and civil society space to generate funds under the guise of activism, only to spend lavishly on personal comfort and luxury.
Olayinka’s comments have triggered fresh debate online, with social media users split between those defending Sowore’s right to provide a quality education for his child and those questioning the transparency surrounding his financial dealings.
While some commentators have argued that activists are not barred from being financially successful, others say public figures who campaign on anti-corruption platforms must be held to higher standards of accountability.
The Dwight-Englewood School, where Sowore’s son is said to be enrolled, is one of the most respected independent college-preparatory day schools in the northeastern United States.
Known for its rigorous academic curriculum, state-of-the-art facilities, and highly selective admissions process, the school counts children of high-net-worth individuals, business executives, and global diplomats among its students.
Although Olayinka did not provide concrete evidence to back his claims regarding the source of Sowore’s finances, the post adds to a series of recent online attacks aimed at questioning the activist’s integrity and political credibility.
The allegations come at a time when tensions are rising between figures in Nigeria’s political establishment and those associated with alternative political movements and civil society platforms.
Omoyele Sowore, a former student union leader and founder of the online investigative publication Sahara Reporters, has been a prominent figure in Nigeria’s pro-democracy movement since the 1990s.
His political platform, the African Action Congress (AAC), has positioned itself as an alternative to the country’s dominant political parties, advocating for radical reforms, transparency in governance, and an end to elite-driven politics.
Sowore has not publicly responded to the latest allegations from Olayinka. However, he has previously dismissed similar attacks as smear campaigns orchestrated by allies of entrenched political interests. See, More, Here>>>>
