…Group questions politician’s account, urges restraint pending investigation

A coalition of civil society organisations has called for an independent investigation into the reported attack on opposition politician Omoyele Sowore in Ekiti State on Friday, questioning his account of the incident and urging authorities to establish the facts.

The coalition also criticised what it described as Sowore’s conduct in public engagements, advising the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate to withdraw from the electoral process if he was unwilling to participate responsibly.

In a statement issued in Bauchi, Bauchi State, the coalition expressed sympathy with Sowore over his claim that he was attacked and taken to an unknown location but said aspects of his account required clarification.

The statement was signed by Job Samuel Danfulani on behalf of the Centre for Public Integrity; John Samuel Nangi for Nigeria Integrity Watch; Mohammed Ibrahim Sumaila for the Northern Council of Nigeria; Abdullahi Salisu for the Nigeria Ethnic Nationality Forum; and Hassana Mohammed for the Foundation for Democracy in Africa.

The coalition questioned Sowore’s allegation that the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police and the Ekiti State Government masterminded the attack, describing the accusations as premature.

“While we sympathise with Sowore, who claimed that he was attacked and taken to an unknown location, we also noticed some gaps in his account. He accused the Department of State Services (DSS), the Police and the Ekiti State Government of masterminding the attack.

“We dare say that the allegations are wild and were made long before the facts were independently established. It would seem that Sowore’s allegations were aimed at discrediting the DSS, a security agency in court with him,” the coalition said.

It also questioned the sequence of events surrounding the incident, including Sowore’s reported use of his personal social media account and his subsequent appearance at a hospital.

The group said the circumstances surrounding the alleged disarming of police personnel by suspected armed thugs and Sowore’s eventual arrival at a police hospital required clarification.

The coalition further referred to viral video clips allegedly showing Sowore engaging in confrontations with a lawyer and prison officers at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

It argued that the incidents raised concerns about his conduct during public engagements, adding that those involved had exercised restraint to prevent further confrontation.

The group also cited a statement by the Ekiti State Police Command that an altercation triggered the confusion, suggesting that investigators should establish what led to the disturbance.

It alleged that Sowore or his supporters might have contributed to the incident, although it provided no evidence to substantiate the claim.

“We urge Sowore to stop the comedy and also stop hiding behind the pillar of contesting elections to cause chaos,” the coalition said.

The organisations also urged the politician to avoid making statements capable of inflaming tensions while investigations were ongoing.

They called on the relevant authorities to conduct an impartial inquiry, establish what happened and make their findings public.

“We call on the authorities to establish what happened and make their findings public. Any inquiry should follow due process and protect the rights of everyone involved,” the coalition said.