Omoyele Sowore alleges attack and kidnapping in Ado‑Ekiti, calls for sanctions on governor and marathon organisers

Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), reported that he was attacked and subsequently abducted by a group of men in Ado‑Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State, on 29 October 2026. Sowore said the assault took place in broad daylight at Tawakalitu Restaurants and Catering Services, where he was meeting supporters. He described the assailants as around twenty individuals armed with sticks and bottles who beat him “like a criminal” and threatened his life if he returned to Ekiti. Sowore added that the attackers later seized him and his whereabouts remain unknown.

In a post on X, Sowore alleged that the Ekiti State government, headed by Governor Biodun Oyebanji, and the organizers of the Ikogosi Marathon, led by Makinde Araoye, were involved in the incident. He called on World Athletics to sanction the marathon organisers and urged an independent investigation into the alleged involvement of state officials and the State Security Service (SSS). Sowore also said he would pursue legal action both nationally and internationally against those he said were responsible.

Background

The incident follows a period of heightened political tension in Ekiti State as Sowore campaigned for the 2027 presidential election. On 29 October, Sowore’s lawyer told a Federal High Court in Abuja that he was in Ekiti for campaign work, prompting the court to postpone his cyber‑bullying trial until 3 November 2026. Witnesses at the restaurant said the assailants were political thugs supposedly connected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, which runs the state government. Sowore’s Facebook and X posts, as well as a televised interview on Channels Television’s *Politics Today*, detailed the assault and alleged police and DSS seizure of CCTV footage. The Ekiti State government has not responded to the accusations.

Why it matters

The alleged attack on a presidential candidate raises concerns about political violence and the safety of opposition figures in Nigeria. Sowore’s claims implicate the state governor and the Ikogosi Marathon organisers, suggesting possible misuse of state resources to intimidate opponents. If substantiated, the allegations could prompt international scrutiny, especially from bodies such as World Athletics, which oversees the marathon. Public reaction on social media has been largely condemnatory, with calls for the perpetrators’ arrest. The incident also intersects with Sowore’s pending legal matters, including his cyber‑bullying case, potentially affecting his campaign momentum.

What happens next

Sowore has demanded an independent investigation into the attack and urged World Athletics to blacklist the Ikogosi Marathon organisers from future events. He indicated that legal proceedings would be pursued against both the state government and the marathon organisers at national and international levels. The Federal High Court in Abuja is set to resume consideration of his cyber‑bullying trial on 3 November 2026, while no official response from Governor Oyebanji’s office has been reported. The situation remains fluid, with Sowore’s whereabouts still unconfirmed and investigations pending.