Omoyele Sowore, the Presidential Candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 election, has expressed his astonishment upon waking up to find millions of Nigerians engrossed in discussions about the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, dancing in a Versace outfit.
Speaking in an interview on AIT's Democracy Today programme, Sowore argued that the Nigerian populace's tendency to focus on inconsequential topics detracts from important national issues that require attention.
Sowore lamented that this fixation on trivial matters exemplifies a broader issue within Nigerian society, where public discourse often centres around sensationalism rather than substantive issues.
He suggested that such distractions undermine efforts to engage in meaningful discussions that could lead to national progress.
Highlighting the incident, Sowore pointed out that while the country grapples with significant challenges such as economic instability, insecurity, and corruption, the public's attention is diverted to less important matters.
He emphasised the need for a shift in focus towards addressing these critical issues that directly impact the lives of Nigerians.
Sowore criticised this phenomenon as a form of willful ignorance, where the population consciously or unconsciously chooses to prioritise entertainment and sensational news over critical national discussions.
He warned that this could lead to a new form of elitism, where only a few are genuinely engaged in solving the country's pressing problems, while the majority remain distracted.
Sowore called for a more informed and engaged citizenry that can distinguish between what is important and what is not.
He urged Nigerians to rise above distractions and focus on discussions that can lead to real change and development.
According to Sowore, the current trend of prioritising trivial matters over substantial issues is detrimental to the nation's progress.
Sowore said, "There is nothing relevant in a conversation with a minister who says, 'Oh, you are not going to come back to the Senate in 2027,' when he himself cannot guarantee that he will continue to be a minister until 2027.
"The issue was immediately followed by talk about his attire. I woke up and saw millions of Nigerians talking about Wike dancing in a Versace outfit.
"I think there is willful ignorance, and distraction has become Nigeria's new form of elitism. The people are easily distracted by these trivial things."
Watch the interview video here (start from 10:08).