A blogger, Chizorom Harrisson Ofoegbu, popularly known as Ijele Speaks, has revealed that he was once approached with an offer to assassinate human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, an offer he says he firmly rejected.
Speaking on the podcast “The King Of The Game,” Ijele discussed his past relationship with Sowore, founder of SaharaReporters, and the events that eventually led to a falling out between them.
When asked whether Sowore was seeking “Igbo sympathy,” Ijele said personal relationships would never stop him from speaking what he considers the truth.
“Of course, that does not stop me from saying the truth. I’ve fought for him too,” he said.
He went on to disclose the startling offer, noting that someone had contacted him to carry out the assassination, which he immediately refused.
“Yes, somebody made that offer to me. When we are off air, I will tell you who,” he added.
Confirming the nature of the request, Ijele said he reached out to a man in Nigeria’s Defence Intelligence Agency to verify the threat. “He said the guy is not even a serious threat. I asked, then why is this man doing this?”
Ijele also advised that any legal cases involving Sowore be resolved quickly, especially with the 2023 elections in mind, to avoid political complications.
He claimed to have lobbied on Sowore’s behalf without the activist’s knowledge, adding, “I lobbied without telling him. My woman is aware of this.”
Despite supporting Sowore at times, including when he was aligned with former president Muhammadu Buhari, Ijele said their relationship soured over disagreements regarding detained separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu.
“What brought my rift with him was this Nnamdi Kanu issue. You say you fought for me, but you joined those the criminal pastors used,” he said.
He also hinted that political actors tried to influence narratives around the Indigenous People of Biafra, mentioning a serving Abia State senator and a newspaper owner without naming them on air.
Ijele concluded by acknowledging Sowore’s continued influence as one of Nigeria’s prominent activists despite their differences.
