Suspected political thugs have attacked and allegedly abducted Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. According to reports, the incident occurred inside a restaurant. Sowore raised the alarm on Friday through a series of posts on his official Facebook page, claiming that thugs attacked them.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged abduction remain unclear. Efforts to confirm the incident from the Ekiti State Police Command were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. The alleged attack comes amid growing political activities and preparations for the 2027 general elections, with political parties and their supporters intensifying mobilisation across the country.
The incident occurred a day after Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji challenged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to secure at least 80 per cent of registered voters’ support for President Bola Tinubu in the January 2027 presidential election. Oyebanji made the call on Thursday at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti during the inauguration of the state chapter of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement.
The movement, convened by Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, is seeking to build support for the president through direct engagement with voters across the country. The governor urged APC leaders and members to intensify grassroots mobilisation, reach undecided voters and discourage voter apathy ahead of the election. He also asked campaigners to identify eligible voters with Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) who failed to participate in previous elections and encourage them to vote in January.
Oyebanji said Ekiti should demonstrate its appreciation for the support it had received from the Tinubu administration by delivering a strong electoral result for the president. He maintained that federal support had contributed to his administration’s development efforts and stressed the importance of continued cooperation between both levels of government. Recalling the APC’s performance in the last governorship election, the governor challenged party members to translate their support at the state level into votes for Tinubu.
Ekpemupolo, who was represented by the movement’s Grand Patron, High Chief Kestin Pondi, said the donation of 25 vehicles was intended to strengthen its grassroots campaign across Ekiti and other parts of the country. He urged Nigerians to support Tinubu’s second-term ambition, arguing that the administration needed more time to consolidate its economic reforms. According to him, the reforms had improved the financial capacity of state governments, enabling them to pay workers’ salaries and pensions and execute development projects.
The incident has raised concerns about the security situation in the country, especially with the 2027 general elections approaching. The police and other security agencies have been urged to investigate the incident and ensure the safe release of Sowore. The African Action Congress has also been urged to take necessary measures to ensure the safety of its candidates and members.
Key points
- Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has been allegedly abducted by suspected political thugs in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
- The incident occurred amid growing political activities and preparations for the 2027 general elections.
- Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has challenged APC members to secure at least 80 per cent of registered voters’ support for President Bola Tinubu in the January 2027 presidential election.
