On Friday, October 30, 2026, Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), and members of his team were attacked by armed men suspected to be political thugs in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital. According to a document made available by Sowore's team, the attack occurred after they had finished participating in political engagements and the Ikogosi Marathon. Sowore was accompanied by the AAC National Chairman, Pastor Samuel Ajeigbe, and other party members, as well as members of the TIB movement.
Prior to the attack, Sowore had arrived in Ekiti State by air on Thursday, October 29, 2026, for a series of political engagements, including meetings with party members, media appearances, and participation in the 17.5-kilometre Ikogosi Marathon scheduled for Saturday, October 31, 2026. On the day of the attack, Sowore met with AAC members at a public restaurant in Ado-Ekiti, followed by a meal. The meeting involved discussions with party members.
After the meeting, operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) visited the restaurant and warned its owner against allowing Sowore to conduct further political meetings on the premises. This led to the cancellation of a town hall meeting previously scheduled to take place at the restaurant. Sowore then proceeded to MIDAS FM 90.5, where he participated in a live radio interview that began at approximately 12 noon and ended at 1 pm.
Following the radio interview, Sowore and his team went to have lunch at a restaurant called 'Tawakalitu' in Ado-Ekiti. They were confronted by a group of armed men wielding firearms, cudgels, and broken bottles. The assailants launched a coordinated physical attack against Sowore and his accompanying security personnel. Sowore managed to escape but sustained injuries to his left leg and palm.
Members of Sowore's security team were reportedly disarmed and severely beaten by the attackers, leaving several of them with injuries requiring medical attention. The injured members of Sowore's team were taken to the Police Clinic located within the premises of the Police Area Command in Ado-Ekiti, where they received medical treatment for their injuries.
There are allegations that operatives of the DSS attached to the Ekiti State Government House had prior knowledge of Sowore's movements and location, and provided the attackers with information about his whereabouts. Additionally, there are reports that personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and the DSS removed CCTV equipment from the restaurant where the attack occurred, which could have captured images of the attackers.
Sowore's team has rejected the Ekiti State Police Command's characterization of the incident as an 'altercation', maintaining that the attack was an organised act of violence carried out by armed individuals. The incident has raised concerns about the protection of Sowore's rights to freedom of movement, peaceful assembly, association, and political participation as a presidential candidate.
Key points
- The attack on Sowore and his team has raised concerns about the involvement of government security personnel in facilitating violence against a political candidate.
- The removal of CCTV equipment from the restaurant where the attack occurred has raised concerns about the preservation of evidence.
- Sowore's team has called for a transparent investigation into the incident.
