Alltimepost.com Sincerity of Purpose
Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has called for international sanctions against the organisers of the Ikogosi Marathon and Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, accusing them of complicity in an alleged plot to assassinate him and members of his campaign team.
Sowore made the demand in a statement posted on X on Saturday morning, following an attack on him and his team in Ado-Ekiti on Friday and a subsequent statement by the marathon organisers announcing that he had been disqualified from participating in the sporting event.
The activist had registered to participate in the 2026 Ikogosi 17.5km Race scheduled for Saturday, October 31, but the organisers announced that he would not be allowed to take part.
In their statement dated October 31, 2026, the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative said Sowore had registered for the competition but was neither issued a race bib number nor cleared to participate.
The organisers said the decision was based on what they described as “documented conduct and security considerations”, insisting that it had nothing to do with his political affiliation, beliefs or aspirations.
“His eligibility for future events will be subject to further review in accordance with our participation standards and security considerations,” the statement added.
The organisers also maintained that they would not permit activities capable of compromising the safety, neutrality or sporting objectives of the event.
However, reacting to the development, Sowore described the organisers’ statement as self-indicting and accused them of being complicit in what he characterised as a deadly assassination plot against him.
He called on World Athletics, the international governing body for athletics, to impose sanctions on the organisers and blacklist them from organising or participating in sporting competitions.
“Following the self-indicting statement issued by the organisers of the Ikogosi Marathon, led by Makinde Araoye, I call on @WorldAthletics (formerly IAAF), the global governing body for athletics, including road running and marathons, to immediately sanction the organisers of the #IkogosiMarathon in Ekiti State, Nigeria, and blacklist the game organisers for being complicit in the violent attacks against me and members of my team who were registered to partake in the competition,” Sowore wrote.
He argued that the organisers should not be allowed to organise or participate in sporting events that bring people together in the spirit of peace, unity and healthy competition.
Sowore also demanded international sanctions against Governor Oyebanji and the marathon organisers, including Makinde Araoye, alleging their involvement in the attacks or efforts to facilitate them.
“Sporting events must never become hunting grounds for political thugs, government-sponsored violence, intimidation, or assassination. Runners and other participants must be guaranteed safety, regardless of their political beliefs or affiliations,” he said.
The activist further threatened legal action against the organisers and the Ekiti State Government, accusing them of endangering lives and violating the principles of sportsmanship and human dignity.
“We intend to pursue further legal and measures against the organisers and the Ekiti State Government over this inhuman conduct, which endangered lives and violated the fundamental principles of sportsmanship and human dignity,” he stated.
He also called for a thorough and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack, particularly the alleged involvement of the marathon organisers and state authorities.
“The circumstances surrounding these coordinated attacks raise grave questions about the involvement of the event organisers and state authorities. I demand a thorough, independent investigation to establish the full extent of their roles and hold everyone responsible and accountable,” Sowore added.
He insisted that those responsible for the violence would not be allowed to escape accountability, regardless of their political positions or connections.
“No political office, government connection, or sporting platform should provide immunity for violence against innocent citizens. We will pursue justice through every lawful avenue available, nationally and internationally,” he said.
Sowore also tagged international media and sports broadcasters, including BBC Sport, CNN Sport and SuperSport, in his post, apparently seeking international attention over the incident.
The development comes amid growing controversy over Friday’s attack on the activist and his campaign team during their visit to Ado-Ekiti.
The Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) earlier condemned the attack, calling for an independent investigation, adequate security protection for Sowore and the suspension of criminal proceedings against him until after the January 2027 presidential election.
SOURCE: SAHARA REPORTERS
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