Sowore Demands International Sanctions Against Ekiti Governor, Ikogosi Marathon Organisers

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has called for international sanctions against Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, and organisers of the Ikogosi Marathon following an incident in which he and members of his team sustained injuries in Ado-Ekiti.

Sowore made the demand in a statement published on Saturday, October 31, accusing the organisers, led by Makinde Araoye, of complicity in the circumstances surrounding the attack on him and his associates.

He called on World Athletics, the international governing body for the sport, to investigate the organisers and impose sanctions, including blacklisting them from organising or participating in future sporting competitions.

The demand followed the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative’s decision to bar him from participating in the 2026 edition of its 17.5-kilometre race scheduled for Saturday.

In a statement issued on October 31, the organisers said they had reviewed what they described as independently obtained and verifiable evidence concerning Sowore and his associates’ activities within the marathon’s office premises and elsewhere in Ekiti State.

They maintained that his participation raised security concerns that were inconsistent with their commitment to providing a peaceful sporting environment.

The organisers also clarified that although Sowore had registered for the competition, he was neither issued a race bib number nor cleared to participate.

They insisted that the decision was based on documented conduct and security considerations rather than his political affiliation, beliefs or aspirations.

Reacting, Sowore described the organisers’ explanation as self-indicting, alleging that their actions raised questions about their possible involvement in the circumstances that led to the attack.

He also demanded international sanctions against Governor Oyebanji and the marathon organisers, including Araoye, over what he described as their involvement in the attacks or efforts to facilitate them.

The AAC presidential candidate further announced plans to pursue legal action against the organisers and the Ekiti State Government, both nationally and internationally.

The dispute follows an incident on Friday, October 30, at a restaurant in the Dalimore area of Ado-Ekiti, where Sowore and members of his team sustained injuries.

Sowore had alleged that armed men attacked his team shortly after he concluded an interview with MIDAS FM 90.5 in the state capital.

He subsequently accused individuals allegedly linked to the Ekiti Government House of carrying out the attack and claimed that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) provided assistance by disclosing his team’s location.

However, the Ekiti State Police Command offered a different account, describing the incident as an altercation between Sowore and some unidentified individuals at the restaurant.

The police said their operatives responded to a distress call, rescued those affected and took them to the Police Cottage Hospital in Ado-Ekiti for medical attention.

Police spokesperson, SP Abutu Sunday, confirmed that Sowore sustained an injury, which the command described as minor.

The Commissioner of Police, Falade Adegoroye Michael, subsequently ordered an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those involved.

In a further statement on Saturday, the police spokesperson said Sowore and other affected individuals had been discharged from the hospital.

The command also disclosed that Sowore had not formally notified it of his arrival and movements within the state, adding that such notification would have enabled it to make adequate security arrangements.

Sowore, however, rejected the police characterisation of the incident as an altercation, insisting that he and his associates were attacked.

Meanwhile, the marathon organisers have maintained that their decision to exclude him was based on security considerations and the need to preserve the event’s political neutrality.

The Ekiti State Government’s response to Sowore’s latest allegations was not available in the sources reviewed for this report. The DSS had also not issued a response to his earlier accusations at the time of filing.

Sowore called for an independent investigation into the incident, insisting that anyone found responsible should be held accountable.

He also urged international sporting and media organisations, including BBC Sport, CNN Sport and SuperSport, to pay attention to the controversy.

The 2026 Ikogosi Marathon is a 17.5-kilometre road race scheduled to connect Ilawe-Ekiti with Ikogosi Warm Springs in Ekiti State.