A coalition of Nigerian civil society organisations has demanded an independent investigation into the alleged attack on opposition politician Omoyele Sowore in Ekiti State. The coalition expressed concern over Sowore's conduct, citing his history of aggressive behaviour. In a statement, the coalition questioned Sowore's account of the incident and called for an impartial body to examine the events. The coalition comprises various groups, including the Centre for Public Integrity and Nigeria Integrity Watch.
The coalition's statement, signed by representatives of various groups, noted that while they sympathise with Sowore over the alleged attack, they observed gaps in his account. Sowore accused the Department of State Services, police, and Ekiti State government of masterminding the attack. However, the coalition described his allegations as wild and premature, suggesting they were aimed at discrediting the DSS. The coalition also questioned the sequence of events in Sowore's account, including his use of social media and hospital appearance.
The coalition highlighted Sowore's history of aggressive behaviour, citing a viral video of him attacking a lawyer in a Federal High Court in Abuja. Another video showed him having a heated exchange with prison officers in the same court. The coalition noted that Sowore's conduct had become a source of concern and urged him to withdraw from the electoral process if he was unwilling to participate responsibly. The coalition also called on Sowore to avoid making statements that could inflame passions while the incident is investigated.
The Ekiti State police command had stated that the confusion was triggered by an altercation, which the coalition said was consistent with Sowore's history of clashing with those who disagree with him. The coalition urged Sowore to stop what they described as a "comedy" and to refrain from hiding behind the pillar of contesting elections to cause chaos. The coalition also called on the authorities to establish what happened and make their findings public, ensuring that any inquiry follows due process and protects the rights of everyone involved.
The alleged attack on Sowore occurred on a day when he was in Ekiti State for a political event. Sowore claimed that he was attacked and taken to an unknown location by suspected thugs. However, the coalition's statement suggested that Sowore's account of the incident was not credible. The coalition's call for an independent investigation is the latest development in the controversy surrounding the alleged attack.
The incident has sparked a heated debate about Sowore's conduct and the security situation in Nigeria. Sowore, the African Action Congress presidential candidate, has been a vocal critic of the government and has been involved in several controversies in the past. The coalition's demand for an independent investigation is seen as a move to ensure that the truth about the incident is established and that those responsible are held accountable.
The authorities have not yet commented on the coalition's demand for an independent investigation. However, the incident is likely to continue to generate controversy and debate in the coming days. The coalition's statement has highlighted the need for politicians to conduct themselves responsibly and for the authorities to ensure that the rights of all individuals are protected.
Key points
- Coalition seeks independent probe into alleged attack on Omoyele Sowore
- Sowore's conduct has become a source of concern for civil society groups
- Authorities urged to establish what happened and make findings public
