By Princely Onyenwe | News Desk
ABUJA – The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has accused Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, of political intimidation following the violent attack on African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, in Ado-Ekiti, describing the incident as an assault on democratic freedoms and opposition politics.
The organisation called on the Federal Government, security agencies and the international community to investigate the incident and hold anyone found responsible accountable, warning against the growing threat of political violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
National President of the Ohanaeze Youth Council, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, made the allegations in a statement, holding Governor Oyebanji responsible for ensuring Sowore’s safety and demanding accountability over the incident.
Sowore and members of his team were reportedly attacked on Friday, October 30, 2026, at Tawakalitu Restaurant in the Dalimore area of Ado-Ekiti, where the AAC politician sustained injuries.
Igboayaka alleged that the attackers were armed political thugs loyal to the Ekiti State Government, claiming that they assaulted Sowore before forcibly taking him away.
He further alleged that the attackers made threatening political statements during the incident, including references to Sowore’s criticism of President Bola Tinubu and his presence in a state controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Ohanaeze youth leader described the development as executive intimidation and demanded that Governor Oyebanji publicly address the allegations.
However, the Ekiti State Police Command has disputed reports that Sowore was kidnapped, maintaining that he was involved in an altercation with unidentified individuals at the restaurant before police operatives intervened and rescued him.
The police subsequently confirmed that Sowore and other affected persons received medical attention and were discharged from hospital.
In a significant development on Saturday, October 31, the police announced the arrest of 11 suspects in connection with the incident. The suspects were reportedly arrested at their hideouts in the Atikankan area of Ado-Ekiti following an intelligence-led operation.
The police said investigations were ongoing to establish their individual roles, determine possible connections with the attack and identify other persons involved.
Igboayaka, however, urged international observers not to wait until the 2027 elections before monitoring Nigeria’s democratic environment, arguing that alleged intimidation of opposition figures requires immediate international attention.
He also cited concerns over alleged political intimidation in other states, specifically mentioning Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru and Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, while calling for protection of opposition parties and their members.
The Ohanaeze Youth Council further called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Falade Adegoroye Michael, to ensure Sowore’s safety and prosecute everyone found culpable.
The organisation insisted that the investigation must go beyond the arrest of suspects to establish whether there were sponsors, collaborators or other individuals connected to the incident.
As Nigeria approaches another election cycle, the controversy surrounding the attack on Sowore has renewed questions about the safety of opposition politicians, political tolerance and the responsibility of security agencies to protect citizens irrespective of their political affiliations.
The outcome of the police investigation will be critical in establishing the circumstances of the attack and determining whether the allegations of political sponsorship have any evidential basis.
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