Omoyele Sowore, the 2027 African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, has apologised for posting AI-generated images depicting two Peter Obi supporters in fake Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) mugshots.
Sowore stated that the images were intended as symbolic criticism of the agency and not as an attack on the individuals portrayed.
He posted the satirical images late Wednesday, showing activists Peter Akah and Precious Oruche in mock Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) mugshots following their questioning by the agency on July 15 over alleged naira abuse at events.
The two activists, both supporters of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi, explained that the cash involved was prop money used for entertainment purposes.
They were released the same night without arrest, but the images drew immediate criticism, prompting Sowore to issue an apology on Thursday.
"Last night, the AI-generated images I used to depict what I consider the EFCC's misplaced priorities in the ordeal involving our activist comrades, @MamaPee__ and @Peter4Nigeria (Peter For Nigeria), were misconstrued by many.
"They were intended solely as symbolic illustrations of what I view as the @officialEFCC's joblessness in this matter and were never meant to slight or misrepresent either comrade.
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"I sincerely apologize to @MamaPee and @Peter4Nigeria if the images caused any offense or made them feel slighted in any way.
"That was never my intention. My solidarity with them remains unwavering, and my criticism is directed at the @officialEFCC's actions, not at those who have been subjected to victimization by @officialEFCC," he added.
Sowore used the occasion to renew his broader criticism of the EFCC, describing the agency as increasingly focused on easier targets while failing to pursue high-level corruption.
"The @officialEFCC has become a symbol of joblessness and misplaced priorities. The real economic and financial criminals appear to be beyond its reach, while the agency increasingly devotes its energy to pursuing easier targets.
"An institution created to combat corruption should focus relentlessly on grand corruption, public asset theft, money laundering, procurement fraud, and the looting of public resources, not distractions that undermine public confidence in its mission. @officialEFCC is finished!" he said.
The incident has added to growing calls for the EFCC to direct its resources towards larger corruption cases rather than what critics describe as low-profile, high-visibility arrests.
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