DON'T POLITICISE AN UNCONFIRMED INCIDENT: GOVERNOR OYEBANJI SHOULD NOT BE DRAGGED INTO EVERY POLITICAL CONTROVERSY

DON'T POLITICISE AN UNCONFIRMED INCIDENT: GOVERNOR OYEBANJI SHOULD NOT BE DRAGGED INTO EVERY POLITICAL CONTROVERSY

A RESPONSE TO THE ALLEGATIONS SURROUNDING OMoyele SOWORE'S REPORTED ATTACK IN ADO-EKITI

It is important to put the records straight and exercise caution before allowing politically motivated narratives to take over public discourse. The reports surrounding the alleged attack on Mr Omoyele Sowore in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, October 30, 2026, have generated considerable controversy. While the Ekiti State Police Command confirmed that an incident occurred at a restaurant in the Dalimore area, it dismissed the narrative that Sowore was kidnapped, explaining that he was involved in an altercation with some individuals, rescued by police operatives and taken to the Police Hospital for medical attention. The Commissioner of Police has also ordered an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those involved. 

Against this background, it is premature, irresponsible and potentially mischievous to attribute the incident to Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji or portray it as a government-sponsored political attack without credible evidence. The allegation that the assailants were political thugs loyal to the Governor remains unsubstantiated. Equally, the alleged statements attributed to the attackers and the purported political motivations behind the incident require independent verification. An allegation does not become an established fact simply because it is repeated on social media or amplified by political sympathisers.

For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji's administration has consistently projected an atmosphere of peace, political tolerance and inclusiveness in Ekiti State. Throughout his administration, the Governor has maintained a public posture of peaceful political engagement and respect for democratic participation. Even during the heat of the recent electioneering campaigns, political parties and their candidates were able to engage in their political activities across the state. This is the atmosphere of political tolerance that Ekiti people deserve to preserve.

It is therefore unfair to attempt to associate the Governor with political thuggery without establishing any verifiable connection between him, his administration and the individuals allegedly involved in the restaurant incident. Governor Oyebanji should not become a convenient political scapegoat whenever an unfortunate disagreement or security incident occurs within Ekiti State. Leadership demands accountability, but accountability must be based on evidence, not conjecture, political sentiment or the desperate desire to manufacture a scandal.

If Mr Sowore has a disagreement, misunderstanding or personal grievance with any individual or group, the appropriate thing is to allow the relevant authorities to investigate the matter and ensure that justice is served. Nobody, irrespective of political affiliation, has the right to assault, intimidate or threaten another person. Equally, nobody should exploit an unfortunate incident to malign the reputation of an individual who has not been established to have any involvement in it. Let those directly involved be identified, and let the law take its course without dragging the personality of Mr Governor into a controversy without evidence.

Furthermore, Mr Sowore, as a prominent political activist, journalist and presidential aspirant, must appreciate that political engagement requires a reasonable measure of civility, restraint and responsibility. Being outspoken, radical or confrontational does not confer immunity from the obligation to respect the rights and sensibilities of others. Political disagreements should be addressed through democratic engagement, intellectual argument and lawful processes rather than confrontation or intimidation. The freedom to criticise government is fundamental to democracy, but the responsibility to maintain civility in public engagement is equally important.

We must also distinguish between the legitimate responsibility of the security agencies to investigate an incident and the attempt by political actors to predetermine the outcome of such an investigation. The police have announced that an investigation is underway. The public should allow the process to establish who was involved, what transpired and whether there was any political motivation behind the incident. Anyone found culpable must face the full consequences of the law, irrespective of political affiliation or social standing.

Ekiti State must not be turned into a theatre of political hostility, sensationalism and manufactured controversies. The state belongs to every citizen, irrespective of party affiliation, ideology or political persuasion. Governor Oyebanji's administration has a responsibility to protect every resident and visitor, including its fiercest critics. That responsibility should not be confused with an admission of culpability for an incident whose circumstances are still being investigated.

OUR POSITION IS SIMPLE: CONDEMN VIOLENCE, DEMAND JUSTICE AND REJECT UNFOUNDED POLITICAL ACCUSATIONS.

Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji should not be dragged into every controversy simply because he occupies the Government House. If there is evidence linking anybody to the incident, let that evidence be presented and investigated. But until then, the attempt to pin responsibility on the Governor is unjustified.

Ekiti deserves peace, not political sensationalism. It deserves constructive opposition, not manufactured controversies. And it deserves leadership to be judged by verifiable facts rather than unsubstantiated allegations.

BAO Anchor Media Team.