The presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has called for international sanctions against the organisers of the Ikogosi Marathon in Ekiti State and Governor Biodun Oyebanji over an alleged violent attack on him and members of his team in Ado-Ekiti. The incident occurred on Friday, and Sowore has accused the government of sponsoring the attack. He made the demand after the organisers of the Marathon issued a statement barring him from participating in the 2026 edition of the sporting event.
The organisers of the Ikogosi Marathon, in a statement issued early on Saturday, said they are stopping Sowore's participation on security considerations. They claimed that although Sowore registered for the 17.5km race, he was neither issued a race bib number nor cleared to participate. The organisers also stated that Sowore's eligibility for future editions of the marathon would be subjected to further review in line with the initiative's participation standards and security requirements.
Sowore reacted to the statement, calling on World Athletics, the international governing body for athletics, to investigate the organisers of the Ikogosi marathon and impose sanctions on them. He accused the organisers, led by Makinde Araoye, of being involved in the circumstances that led to the attack on him and members of his team. Sowore also called for international sanctions against Governor Oyebanji and Araoye, alleging their involvement in the attacks against him and members of his team.
The AAC presidential candidate was in Ekiti State ahead of Saturday's 17.5-kilometre Ikogosi Marathon when he and members of his team were attacked at a restaurant in Ado-Ekiti on Friday. The incident generated widespread outrage, with Sowore alleging that armed men sponsored by the government attacked his team. He subsequently accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of providing the attackers with information about their location.
However, the Ekiti State Police Command claimed the attack on Sowore resulted from an altercation between him and some individuals at a restaurant in the Dalimore area of Ado-Ekiti. The police said operatives rescued the AAC candidate, who was injured from the attack and took him and other injured members of his team for treatment. Ekiti Commissioner of Police Michael Falade had ordered an investigation into the incident.
Sowore has rejected the claim by the police and argued that sporting competitions should not become platforms for political intimidation, violence or attacks against participants because of their political affiliations. He announced plans to pursue legal action against the organisers and the Ekiti State Government over what he described as conduct that endangered lives and violated fundamental principles of sportsmanship and human dignity.
Sowore also urged international media organisations, including BBC Sport, CNN Sport and SuperSport, to pay attention to the incident. Ekiti State government has not reacted to the claims by Sowore. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of participants in sporting events and the need for authorities to ensure that such events are free from political intimidation and violence.
Key points
- Omoyele Sowore demands international sanctions against Ekiti Governor Biodun Oyebanji and Ikogosi Marathon organisers.
- Sowore alleges that the government sponsored the attack on him and members of his team.
- The incident has raised concerns about the safety of participants in sporting events.
