Rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has defended his proposal for a ₦500,000 minimum wage in Nigeria, insisting that the country has sufficient resources if government spending priorities are properly managed.

In a statement shared on his official page, Sowore argued that claims suggesting Nigeria cannot afford a higher minimum wage are misleading, pointing instead to what he described as excessive spending by political office holders.

He also referenced allegations circulating online involving Lucky Aiyedatiwa and claims related to campaign financing, though no official confirmation was provided.

“If there is money for politicians, there must be money for workers.

“₦500,000 minimum wage is not the problem. The problem is a political class that treats public funds as private property while millions of Nigerians suffer,” the statement read.

Sowore maintained that Nigeria’s economic challenges are driven more by corruption and misaligned priorities than by lack of national wealth.

He argued that stronger fiscal discipline and accountability in public spending would make it possible to significantly improve workers’ welfare and living conditions across the country.