Sowore's Ekiti Nightmare: Thugs Attack AAC Candidate, Stolen Phone Traced to Governor's Lodge

Human rights activist and presidential aspirant of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, and his team were reportedly attacked in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, sparking a major controversy involving allegations against the state government and security agencies. A key development in the unfolding saga is Sowore's claim that a mobile phone stolen from a member of his team during the Friday attack has been traced to the Governor’s Lodge in Ekiti State. This allegation has intensified demands for transparency, including the immediate release of CCTV footage from Tawakalitu Restaurant, the reported scene of the assault.

The attack occurred on Friday, October 30, 2026, shortly after Sowore attended an interview at MIDAS FM 90.5. His detailed account, prepared for submission to top security officials, described how he and his entourage were confronted at Tawakalitu Restaurant by a group of armed men carrying firearms, cudgels, and broken bottles. Sowore sustained injuries to his left leg and palm while escaping, and members of his security team were allegedly disarmed and severely beaten, requiring medical attention. The nature of the weapons and the disarming of security personnel raised concerns about the premeditated nature of the assault.

Sowore’s report further alleged significant involvement and potential cover-up by state security personnel. He claimed that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), attached to the Ekiti State Government House, had prior knowledge of his movements and location before the attack. He also alleged that these DSS personnel provided information to the attackers, accompanied them to the assault location, and subsequently removed CCTV equipment from the restaurant. Furthermore, Sowore accused senior DSS officials of attempting to influence media coverage of the incident to downplay its severity.

Accusations of complicity extend to specific individuals. Sowore and AAC chieftain Olajide Esan have accused Adenijo Olusola, popularly known as Solar, and Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s Chief Security Officer (CSO), CSP Ayodele Akinlua, of coordinating the attack from the Ekiti State Government House. Eyewitnesses also identified Omotuyi Temitope, known as Tope Jinadu Small, as an alleged participant. Esan highlighted an earlier warning from the Governor's CSO regarding Sowore's safety, suggesting a potential government role in the incident. The allegations against these individuals have not been established by a court.

The past records of the accused individuals add another layer to the controversy. Solar had previously faced murder charges in two separate cases linked to political violence in Ekiti State, including the 2014 murder of Chief Omolafe Aderiye, though he was acquitted due to insufficient evidence. He was also arraigned for conspiracy, murder, and attempted murder in connection with the March 2021 Ekiti East by-election violence, with no final conviction recorded. Tope Jinadu Small was an inmate who escaped from the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre during a 2012 jailbreak and was later arrested in June 2024, having been previously remanded for conspiracy and armed robbery, and serving six years in the UAE for a murder case before repatriation.

The police response to the incident has been a point of contention. Initially, the Ekiti State Police Command described the event as an “altercation,” a description vehemently rejected by Sowore's team, who insisted it was a coordinated, violent attack. Subsequently, the police announced the arrest of 11 suspects at their hideouts in Atikankan, Ado-Ekiti, recovering items such as walkie-talkies, illicit substances, ATM cards, mobile phones, international passports, and suspected criminal charms. Despite the arrests, Sowore maintained that these were inadequate without the apprehension of the alleged masterminds who organized, financed, and coordinated the attack.

The African Action Congress (AAC) and its affiliates have strongly condemned the assault, armed robbery, and harassment. The party, through its national chairman and youth leader, issued statements demanding an immediate, uncompromised investigation and the prosecution of all responsible parties, emphasizing the violation of constitutional guarantees such as freedom of movement. They also called on authorities to guarantee the safety of Sowore and his team during their public engagements and warned against normalising such incidents in a democratic society.

Olajide Esan, the AAC’s 2026 governorship candidate for Osun State, issued a direct challenge to Governor Biodun Oyebanji, demanding an explanation for how the stolen phone ended up at the Governor’s Lodge. He warned the Ekiti State Government against dismissing the allegations, asserting that the tracing of the phone, coupled with the CSO’s prior warning, pointed to direct complicity. Esan also accused the government of treating victims as suspects and misusing political power to intimidate citizens.

Former Senator Babafemi Ojudu, representing Ekiti Central and a former Special Adviser to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, also condemned the attack, stressing that political disagreement should never justify violence. Ojudu, while defending Governor Oyebanji's personal dissociation from the act, insisted on a transparent investigation and accountability for all individuals found responsible, regardless of their political connections. He recalled his own experiences of political intimidation, urging current leaders not to repeat past mistakes and to protect freedom of expression, even for critics.

The AAC National Youth Leader, Yahaya M. Abdullahi, specifically appealed to Nigerian youths not to be exploited by politicians to perpetrate violence against opposition leaders, arguing that political differences should be resolved through democratic participation and ideas. Both Abdullahi and Ojudu urged security agencies to act impartially, protect citizens, and ensure peaceful political activities, warning against allowing political affiliation to influence investigations.

In response to the escalating concerns, the Take-It-Back Movement announced a global emergency security meeting for Sunday, November 1, to address the safety of Sowore and his associates. The movement reiterated its commitment to protecting its members and demanding that Nigerian authorities fulfill their constitutional responsibility to guarantee the safety of all citizens, including opposition political candidates. The ongoing controversy underscores serious concerns about political violence, freedom of expression, and the rule of law in Nigeria, with persistent calls for a thorough, impartial investigation and justice for all involved.