Sola Adenijo, popularly known as "Solar," has been linked to a previous murder charge arising from the 2021 Ekiti East House of Assembly by-election violence. According to a police source, Adenijo was arraigned alongside two others, Paul Folorunso and Adebayo Serifat, on charges of conspiracy, murder, and attempted murder. The violence resulted in the deaths of Babatunde Adeleye and Bola Adebisi, and Adenijo was remanded at the Federal Correctional Centre in Ado-Ekiti.
The police source claimed that Adenijo had operated as a political enforcer for Oyetunde Ojo, Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority and son-in-law of President Bola Tinubu. Ojo's political connections allegedly helped Adenijo escape the consequences of previous encounters with law enforcement. The source stated that Adenijo was a political tool for Ojo, who is married to Folashade Tinubu, the President's daughter.
Adenijo's involvement in previous violent incidents includes his arrest during the 2018 Ekiti governorship election with over ₦10 million allegedly intended for vote-buying on behalf of the APC. He was immediately released under the order of the President, then leader of the APC. The source also alleged that Adenijo was imprisoned during the administration of former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, over political thuggery but regained his freedom following the return of the APC to power in the state.
The alleged attack on Omoyele Sowore and members of his team on October 30, 2026, has raised concerns about Adenijo's involvement and potential political connections. Sowore, the African Action Congress presidential candidate, identified Adenijo as one of the leaders of the attackers and accused politically connected individuals of sponsoring the violence. The police source further alleged that Ojo used his political influence and connections to President Tinubu to facilitate Adenijo's release from the earlier criminal proceedings.
According to the source, Adenijo and others involved in the 2021 election violence received political appointments following the emergence of Biodun Oyebanji as governor. Folorunso, popularly known as "Folly," and Adenijo, known as "Solar," had operated as political enforcers for the APC in Ekiti State for years. The source accused both men of involvement in the 2021 election violence and claimed they had maintained political connections dating back to 2010.
The source also claimed that Folorunso was associated with the Aye confraternity, while Adenijo was associated with the Eiye confraternity, although these affiliations have not been independently verified. The source further alleged that the three defendants were released from custody after Governor Oyebanji assumed office and subsequently received appointments within his administration.
Fresh revelations have raised questions about the links between individuals accused of participating in the October 30 attack on Sowore and a political organisation campaigning for President Bola Tinubu's re-election in 2027, City Boy Movement. An executive list released by the Ekiti State chapter of the City Boy Movement identifies Ijarotimi Ayodeji Akintade, whom Sowore has accused of participating in the attack, as an organiser.
Key points
- Sola Adenijo, known as "Solar," allegedly led the attack on Omoyele Sowore and has ties to President Tinubu's son-in-law, Oyetunde Ojo.
- Adenijo was previously charged with murder in connection with the 2021 Ekiti East House of Assembly by-election violence.
- Adenijo's release from previous criminal proceedings and subsequent appointments may be linked to his political connections with Ojo and President Tinubu.
