Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has accused Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, President Bola Tinubu’s aide, Sunday Asefon, and several other individuals of alleged involvement in the attack on him and members of his team in Ado-Ekiti.
Gatekeepers News reports that Sowore made the fresh allegations in a statement on Wednesday, demanding an independent investigation into the October 30 attack at Tawakalitu Restaurant in the Dalimore area of the state capital.
He alleged that the attack was a coordinated attempt to assassinate him and disrupt his political activities ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The activist also accused security operatives, including personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), of allegedly tracking his team’s movements and providing intelligence and operational assistance to the attackers.
He further alleged that the Chief Security Officer to Governor Oyebanji, CSP Ayodele Akinlua, had warned one of his associates hours before the incident that his safety could not be guaranteed if he proceeded with political activities in the state.
Sowore also claimed that devices stolen from members of his team were traced to locations around the Governor’s Office and Governor’s Lodge in Ado-Ekiti, although he acknowledged that the location data required forensic verification.
He accused the Ekiti State Police Command of mishandling the investigation, alleging that officers initially described the incident as a mere altercation and that CCTV equipment removed from the restaurant was returned with its recordings erased.
The latest statement follows the reported arraignment of 11 suspects arrested in connection with the attack.
However, Sowore rejected the prosecution, describing it as an attempt to create the appearance of justice while allegedly shielding those who planned and sponsored the violence.
Among those he listed for investigation are Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, Falade Adegoroye Michael; the state’s DSS Director; Sola Adenijo, popularly known as Solar; and Omotuyi Temitope, also known as Tope Jinadu Small.
Others are former National Association of Nigerian Students president and Tinubu’s Special Assistant on Student Engagement, Sunday Asefon; Asefon’s Chief Security Officer, Ayodeji Akintade Ifeoluwa, popularly known as AK; and Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority, Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo.
He also named the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Olayinka Oyebode; Ikogosi Marathon organiser, Makinde Araoye; and Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Lere Olayinka.
Sowore alleged varying degrees of involvement, association or knowledge of the incident among the individuals, but said their precise roles must be established through independent investigation and credible evidence.
He demanded the immediate removal or suspension of Commissioner Falade from responsibility for the case and urged the Inspector-General of Police to constitute an independent investigative team.
The AAC candidate also called for the recovery and forensic examination of the CCTV recordings, tracing of the stolen devices, protection of witnesses and disclosure of the identities and charges of the 11 persons already arraigned.
He further urged the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigerian Bar Association and international human rights organisations to monitor the investigation.
Sowore also criticised the silence of President Tinubu’s office over the incident, questioning whether individuals connected to the presidency had any knowledge of the attack.
He maintained that the arraignment of the 11 suspects should not prevent investigators from pursuing other individuals allegedly connected to the incident, insisting that anyone found culpable should face prosecution regardless of political position or connections.
Sowore also attached photographs and videos purportedly showing aspects of the attack, urging members of the public to exercise discretion while viewing the materials.
