Issued: Saturday, 31st October 2026
Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) strongly condemn the reported attack on Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) and human rights activist, and members of his team during his visit to Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Violence against a political candidate is an assault on democratic participation and the right of Nigerians to organise, campaign and express their views without fear. No candidate should have to risk injury or death to engage with citizens.
Sowore’s allegations that individuals linked to the Ekiti State Government House carried out the attack, with tracking and operational support from operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), are extremely grave. They require a prompt, independent and transparent investigation. Everyone who carried out, sponsored or facilitated the attack must be brought to justice, regardless of position or political affiliation.
PLAC is equally concerned by reports that the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, CP Falade Adegoroye Michael, described the incident as an “altercation” and the victims’ injuries as “minor”. Such descriptions must not prejudge an investigation or trivialise the violence. The Police must protect the victims, preserve evidence and pursue accountability impartially.
PLAC calls on the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that the investigation is insulated from interference by any person or institution implicated in the allegations. Its findings should be made public and those responsible prosecuted.
The Federal Government and the Nigeria Police Force must immediately provide Sowore with adequate and effective security befitting his status as a presidential candidate. This protection must cover his campaign activities and team, respect his political freedoms and respond to the threats he has reported. The authorities must take every lawful and necessary measure to ensure that no harm comes to him.
PLAC further calls on the Federal Government to take the lawful steps necessary to suspend all criminal proceedings it is pursuing against Sowore, including the prosecution arising from his “Tinubu is a criminal” remark, until at least after the presidential election in January 2027.
The Attorney-General of the Federation should initiate the appropriate legal processes to give effect to this suspension.
An incumbent President seeking re-election must not benefit from the use of federal prosecutorial powers to constrain a political opponent. Whatever the stated grounds for these proceedings, their continuation during the election campaign risks undermining public confidence in the impartiality of state institutions and Sowore’s ability to campaign freely.
Public officials, including the President, must tolerate robust criticism. Criminal prosecution should never become an instrument for suppressing political expression, exhausting an opponent’s resources or restricting citizens’ electoral choices. Suspending these proceedings would help protect political competition and the credibility of the electoral process.
The Ekiti State Government and the DSS must cooperate fully with an independent investigation into the attack. Allegations implicating public officials and security personnel cannot simply be dismissed.
Nigeria’s democracy cannot function where violence, intimidation or the misuse of state power determines who may campaign or be heard. Sowore must be protected, those responsible for the attack must face justice, and every candidate must be able to contest the election freely and safely.
Signed:
Clement Nwankwo
Founding Executive Director
Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC)
