The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has alleged that he and members of his team were attacked by suspected thugs in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Friday.
Sowore accused individuals allegedly linked to the Ekiti State Government House of carrying out the attack, further claiming that the Department of State Services (DSS) provided the suspected attackers with tracking and operational support.
The activist disclosed the incident in a statement shared on his official X account, where he described the attack as a coordinated act of violence.
According to Sowore, the incident occurred shortly after he concluded an interview at MIDAS FM 90.5 in Ado-Ekiti.
Sowore Accuses Ekiti Government House, DSS
Sowore alleged that the individuals involved in the attack came from the Ekiti State Government House and received assistance from DSS operatives.
He also claimed that DSS personnel had been trailing and harassing him and his team since their arrival in the state on Thursday.
The AAC presidential candidate further alleged that operatives had threatened the manager of a restaurant where his team previously ate, warning him against allowing the group to use the premises again.
In his statement, Sowore condemned the incident and accused the alleged attackers of acting with the support of security operatives.
He wrote that those who attacked his team in Ado-Ekiti were allegedly provided with tracking and operational assistance by the DSS.
Sowore’s allegations against the Ekiti State Government House and the DSS have not been independently verified in the account provided.
Attack Reportedly Occurred After Radio Interview
Sowore said the incident happened shortly after he completed an interview at MIDAS FM 90.5 in Ado-Ekiti on Friday.
He had earlier reported that the attack occurred inside a restaurant.
The AAC presidential candidate maintained that the incident was a violent attack against him and members of his team, disputing any description of the event as a mere altercation.
He also claimed that members of his team sustained injuries during the incident.
Ekiti Police Commissioner Visits Scene
Sowore disclosed that the Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, Falade Adegoroye Michael, visited the scene of the incident.
However, he criticised the police chief over a statement that reportedly described the incident as an altercation.
According to Sowore, the police commissioner’s description failed to reflect the severity of the violence and the injuries he said his team sustained.
He insisted that the incident should be treated as an attack rather than a disagreement between individuals.
Sowore expressed displeasure with the police account, arguing that the commissioner had personally visited the scene and witnessed what he described as the extent of the injuries.
Sowore Disputes Police Account of Incident
The AAC presidential candidate maintained that the incident was a coordinated and violent attack, rejecting the characterisation of the event as an altercation.
His comments have raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident and the allegations of involvement by individuals purportedly connected to the Ekiti State Government House and the DSS.
However, the claims remain allegations attributed to Sowore, and further information would be required to independently establish the circumstances of the incident and determine whether any security personnel or government officials were involved.
The incident comes amid concerns over the safety of political figures and their supporters during political engagements in Nigeria.
Further clarification from the Ekiti State Government, the DSS and the police would help establish their respective accounts of the incident.