Sources within the Ekiti State Government House have accused Governor Biodun Oyebanji of masterminding the October 30 attack on African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and members of his team in Ado-Ekiti. The sources claim that the operation was planned at the Government House following Sowore's criticism of the governor. According to the sources, Oyebanji and some people working with him had been determined to deal with Sowore since his previous visit to the state.
The sources, who spoke to SaharaReporters, alleged that a retired police officer known as Marcus, a close associate of the governor, was the alleged coordinator of a team of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) operatives who monitored the attack from across the road without intervening. The RRS operatives were positioned opposite Tawakalitu Restaurant, where Sowore and his entourage were attacked by armed men, and allegedly watched the assault without attempting to rescue the victims.
The sources claimed that the officers had access to footage of the incident but deliberately refrained from intervening because of their alleged connections to the governor's camp. The sources urged Sowore to concentrate his investigation on Oyebanji and his political associates, arguing that linking the attack to other individuals could obscure the political interests allegedly behind the incident.
Another Government House source cautioned against implicating Oyetunde Olademeji Ojo, arguing that he belongs to a different political faction within the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the governor. Although both Oyetunde and Oyebanji belong to the APC, the source claimed that Oyetunde is aligned with the political camp of former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, while Oyebanji operates within a different political caucus.
The source described Ekiti politics as complicated, arguing that the internal divisions within the ruling APC were important to understanding the alleged political interests surrounding the attack. The source provided details of the political relationship between Oyebanji and Fayemi, claiming that the former governor played a significant role in ensuring Oyebanji succeeded him but that disagreements subsequently emerged among different political interests within the APC.
The source further urged Sowore to appeal to eyewitnesses and members of the public who recorded the attack to release their footage, arguing that the videos could help establish the sequence of events and identify those involved. The source suggested that Sowore publicly offer a reward of ₦100,000 to anyone who witnessed the attack and was willing to provide video evidence.
Sowore and members of his team were attacked by armed men at Tawakalitu Restaurant in Ado-Ekiti on October 30, 2026, during his visit to the state. The Ekiti State Police Command subsequently arraigned 11 persons before a Chief Magistrate's Court in Ado-Ekiti over alleged conspiracy, assault occasioning harm and destruction of property. However, Sowore rejected the arraignment, and the sources insist that the presence of the RRS operatives and their failure to intervene should form a central part of investigations into the assault.
Key points
- Governor Biodun Oyebanji accused of masterminding the attack on Omoyele Sowore and his team in Ado-Ekiti.
