‘THEY THREATENED TO KILL ME’, SOWORE RECOUNTS EKITI ATTACK
Read Time:2 Minute, 11 Second
By ‘Balogun Ibrahim
The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has narrated how he was allegedly attacked by about 20 suspected thugs in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.
Sowore recounted the incident on Friday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he described how the assailants attacked him while he was at a restaurant meeting with some supporters.
According to him, the attackers were armed with sticks and bottles and threatened to kill him if he returned to the state.
“They beat me like a criminal. They came from nowhere, about 20 of them, armed with sticks and bottles. They said they will kill me if I come to Ekiti again,” he said.
The AAC chieftain claimed that the incident was captured by CCTV cameras but alleged that security operatives had taken possession of the footage in an attempt to conceal evidence of the assault.
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He disclosed that he sustained injuries to his face and other parts of his body and was subsequently taken to a hospital for medical attention.
Despite the alleged attack, Sowore vowed to continue his advocacy for justice and democracy, insisting that the incident would not intimidate him or prevent him from speaking out.
“I am not afraid. They can beat me, they can arrest me, but they cannot stop me from speaking the truth,” he added.
The Ekiti State Police Command also confirmed that Sowore sustained injuries during an altercation with some individuals at a restaurant in the state.
Meanwhile, the television interview was briefly disrupted by a heated exchange between Sowore and the programme’s presenter, Seun Okinbaloye, after the journalist asked whether the activist had provoked those who allegedly attacked him.
The question angered Sowore, who accused the presenter of engaging in victim-blaming.
“Don’t ask me such a condescending question. I was attacked, I was beaten. You are asking me if I provoked them? That is victim blaming,” he said.
Okinbaloye attempted to calm the AAC candidate, explaining that his question was intended to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
However, Sowore maintained that the question was insensitive and criticised what he described as the mainstream media’s approach to reporting the attack.
“I came here to tell you that I was attacked and the police seized the CCTV to cover it up, and you are asking me if I provoked thugs? Is that journalism?” he asked.
The exchange lasted about two minutes and subsequently generated reactions on social media, with Nigerians expressing differing views on the confrontation.
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