Osun Masterminds Condemns Alleged Attack On Sowore in Ekiti, Demands Arrest Of Perpetrators

The Osun Masterminds has condemned the alleged attack on Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, and called on security agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible.

The organisation made the call during a press conference held at its office on Saturday, October 31, 2026, where its Executive Director, Prof. Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, addressed journalists on political developments and other issues affecting Osun State and Nigeria.

According to the statement presented at the conference, the alleged attack occurred on Friday, October 30, 2026, in a public space in Ado-Ekiti.

The organisation described the incident as an assault on the rights of Nigerians to participate in politics, express their views and support candidates of their choice.

Speaking at the conference, Oyedokun-Alli said Nigeria was approaching the 2027 general elections amid concerns over political violence and attacks on opposition figures.

He said elections should provide an opportunity for candidates and political parties to present their policies and development plans to the electorate.

“Elections should be a festival of ideas, a peaceful contest of developmental blueprints, and a developmental milestone where the sovereign will of the people is freely expressed,” he said.

However, the organisation alleged that the political environment was increasingly becoming hostile to opposition figures and people expressing dissenting views.

It stated that the electoral space was being transformed into “a combat zone where dissenting voices and opposition figures are hunted, silenced, and physically assaulted.”

Group alleges security agencies’ involvement

The Osun Masterminds alleged that political thugs involved in the attack on Sowore may have operated with the tacit connivance or criminal negligence of security agencies.

In its statement, the organisation described the reported incident as a national disgrace, particularly because it allegedly occurred in a public space.

It also criticised what it described as attempts by security agencies and law enforcement authorities to downplay attacks on political figures.

“When security apparatuses and law enforcement agencies trivialize such high-profile acts of violence—dismissing life-threatening injuries as ‘minor’ or engaging in administrative denials—they surrender their neutrality and embolden the forces of tyranny,” the group stated.

The organisation did not provide independent evidence establishing the alleged involvement of security agencies in the incident.

### Police, DSS asked to investigate

The group called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant statutory agencies to investigate the alleged attack and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

“We call on the Inspector-General of Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and all relevant statutory agencies to rise above partisan politics and uphold the rule of law,” the statement read.

It further argued that the country could not conduct a credible, free and fair election in 2027 if political violence was allowed to prevent candidates from campaigning or engaging with voters.

The organisation specifically demanded the identification and prosecution of those involved in the October 30 incident.

“Perpetrators of the October 30 attack in Ekiti must be fished out and brought to open justice immediately,” it said.

### Concerns over political activities ahea wed of 2027

The press conference also addressed the broader political environment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The organisation said the approaching election period presented both an opportunity for democratic renewal and concerns over political desperation, electoral violence and insecurity.

It called on political actors and security agencies to uphold the rights of Nigerians to political participation and freedom of expression.