Who Authorized The Warning? – Sowore Call Out Ekiti State Governor Over Attack

Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has challenged Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, to explain why his Chief Security Officer, CSP Ayodele Akinlua, allegedly warned that his safety could not be guaranteed hours before he and members of his team were attacked in Ado-Ekiti.

Sowore also demanded an explanation from the governor over the alleged involvement of government officials in the attack, his administration’s relationship with a suspected gang leader, and the whereabouts of CCTV recordings of the incident.

The activist made the demands in a statement responding to a press release issued by the Ekiti State Government on October 31, following the attack on him and his team at Tawakalitu Restaurant in the Dalimore area of Ado-Ekiti on Friday, October 30.

He alleged that more than 100 armed men attacked, injured and robbed members of his team and him in broad daylight.

According to Sowore, the governor’s Chief Security Officer had contacted Moyinoluwa Olowoyo, popularly known as Gigabytes, at about 7:30 a.m. on the day of the incident and warned that his safety could not be guaranteed if he proceeded with his political activities in the state.

He questioned why such a warning was issued before the attack and demanded to know whether the governor was aware of the threat.

“Why was the Governor’s Chief Security Officer warning that my safety could not be guaranteed hours before armed thugs descended on us? Who authorised that call? What did the Governor know, and when did he know it?” he asked.

Sowore described the warning as a significant indication that some individuals might have had prior knowledge of the attack. He accused the state government of attempting to dismiss the incident instead of addressing the allegations and seeking justice for those injured.

He also criticised the government’s response, saying its statement, issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Olayinka Oyebode, was hostile and failed to show concern for the victims.

According to him, rather than condemn the violence or demand an investigation, the government questioned his motives and described the incident as an ordinary altercation.

The activist also faulted the government for referring to him as an “inconsequential presidential candidate”, asking why the governor’s security apparatus would allegedly monitor his movements and issue warnings about his safety if he was insignificant.

“If I am so inconsequential, why was the Governor’s security apparatus monitoring my movements? Why did DSS operatives disrupt my political meeting at a restaurant? Why was a warning issued concerning my safety? And why were more than 100 armed thugs subsequently mobilised to descend on us?” he queried.

Sowore further accused the Ekiti State Government of having links with Sola Adenijo, popularly known as Solar, whom he alleged was the leader of the gang responsible for the attack.

He maintained that Adenijo was on the state government’s payroll and challenged Oyebanji’s administration to disclose whether the individual received payments, contracts, appointments, stipends or other financial benefits from the government, either directly or indirectly.

“We challenge Governor Oyebanji and his government to publicly disclose whether Sola Adenijo, aka Solar, receives payments, contracts, appointments, stipends, or any other financial benefits from the state government, directly or indirectly,” he said.

Omoyele Sowore was attacked in Ekiti on Friday

He argued that a general denial of involvement would not be sufficient without answers to the specific allegations.

The activist also renewed his demand for the immediate preservation and public release of CCTV footage showing the attack and events leading up to it.

He called on the state government and relevant authorities to secure the complete recordings from Tawakalitu Restaurant and surrounding premises, preserve the original files and make the relevant footage available to the public without alteration.

Sowore alleged that security operatives had attempted to remove CCTV recordings after the incident. He therefore demanded an explanation about who took possession of the footage, where it was being kept and why it had not been released.

“Let Nigerians see what happened. Let the footage establish whether this was the so-called ‘altercation’ being promoted by the Police and the State Government or a coordinated attack by armed political thugs,” he said.

The activist’s latest statement followed an earlier reaction to the police announcement that 11 suspects had been arrested in connection with the attack.

The Ekiti State Police Command had announced on Saturday that operatives of its Rapid Response Squad arrested the suspects at their hideouts in the Atikankan area of Ado-Ekiti.

In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abutu Sunday, the command said the arrests were made at about 10 p.m. on Friday, October 30, following a credible tip-off.

The police identified the suspects as Joseph Tayo, 32; Olatunji Abayomi, 41; Isaac Amba, 22; Kehinde Ajigbana, 18; Tosin David, 18; Solomon Iyanu, 18; Ogunsola Ayomide, 21; Ojo Ayodeji, 22; Kayode Dada, 32; Segun Olatunji, 28; and Salami Emmanuel, 53.

Items reportedly recovered from the suspects included two walkie-talkies, 13 mobile phones, seven ATM cards, eight international passports, a flash drive, a 5G MTN Wi-Fi device, two vehicle keys and substances suspected to be Indian hemp and Colorado.

Other recovered items included two Indian hemp crushers, a pack of Rizla, identity cards, three complimentary cards, two suspected criminal charms, a gas lighter and N250.

The command said the suspects were in custody while investigations continued to establish their individual roles, determine their possible connections with the attack and identify other persons involved.

It added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Falade Adegoroye Michael, had assured the public that anyone found culpable would be brought to justice, irrespective of political affiliation.

Reacting to the arrests, Sowore argued that apprehending the suspected attackers would not be enough if those who allegedly planned, financed and coordinated the operation were not identified and prosecuted.

“Arresting 11 suspects is not enough if those who planned, financed, coordinated and facilitated the attack remain untouched,” he said.

He also questioned the police’s initial description of the incident as an altercation, asking what had changed between the first statement and the announcement of the arrests.

“What changed between that misleading statement and today’s announcement of 11 arrests?” he asked.

This article first appeared on Politics Nigeria: https://politicsnigeria.com/2026/11/01/who-authorized-the-warning-sowore-call-out-ekiti-state-governor-over-attack/

The post Who Authorized The Warning? – Sowore Call Out Ekiti State Governor Over Attack appeared first on Politics Nigeria.