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Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has alleged that he and members of his team were attacked by armed men in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, triggering renewed concerns over political safety and freedom of political participation in Nigeria.
The incident reportedly occurred on Friday, October 30, shortly after Sowore concluded an interview at Midas FM 90.5 in the Ekiti State capital.
In an initial statement shared through his social media account, Sowore’s team reported that he had been kidnapped and that his whereabouts were unknown.
The activist subsequently accused individuals he described as government-sponsored attackers of carrying out the assault, alleging that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) had provided the attackers with his exact location.
Sowore also shared photographs showing himself and one of his associates receiving medical attention following the incident.
However, the Ekiti State Police Command disputed the kidnapping claim, describing the incident as an altercation between Sowore and some individuals at a restaurant in the Dalimore area of Ado-Ekiti.
In a statement, the police said operatives responded after receiving information about the incident and rescued the AAC presidential candidate from the scene.
The command confirmed that Sowore sustained what it described as a minor injury and was receiving medical attention at the Police Hospital in Ado-Ekiti.
The police also disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Falade Adegoroye Michael, had ordered an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify everyone involved.
The allegations against the DSS and claims of government involvement have not been independently established, while the police have rejected the kidnapping account.
The conflicting accounts have generated fresh questions about the security of opposition political figures, the conduct of security agencies and the protection of political activities in Nigeria.
With preparations for the 2027 general elections gradually gaining momentum, the incident has also brought renewed attention to the conditions under which political candidates and their supporters can exercise their democratic rights.
As investigations continue, Nigerians will be watching closely for further clarification regarding what happened in Ado-Ekiti and whether those responsible for the incident will be identified and held accountable.
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