African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has demanded international sanctions against the organisers of the Ikogosi Marathon and Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji after he was barred from participating in the 2026 race.
Sowore also called on World Athletics, the global governing body for athletics, to investigate the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative and sanction its organisers, following their decision to exclude him from Saturday’s 17.5-kilometre race.
Ikogosi Marathon Initiative said Sowore had registered for the competition but was neither issued a race bib nor cleared to participate.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the organisers attributed the decision to security concerns arising from what they described as “independently obtained and verifiable evidence” involving Sowore and his associates at the marathon’s office premises and elsewhere in Ekiti State.
“Consequently, the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative has decided to deny Mr. Omoyele Sowore participation in the 2026 Ikogosi 17.5km Race scheduled for Saturday, 31 October 2026,” the organisers said.
The initiative said Sowore’s eligibility for future editions would be reviewed in line with its participation standards and security considerations.
It also rejected suggestions that the decision was politically motivated, maintaining that it was based on documented conduct and security considerations rather than Sowore’s political affiliation, beliefs or presidential ambition.
According to the organisers, the marathon has maintained a policy since 2014 prohibiting the use of its platform, facilities, events or branding for political campaigns, partisan demonstrations or activities that could undermine sporting integrity.
The initiative said the event remained open to participants from different backgrounds who complied with its rules and upheld peaceful sporting engagement.
Sowore demands international action
Reacting to the decision, Sowore accused the marathon organisers, led by Makinde Araoye, of complicity in the attack on him and members of his team in Ado-Ekiti on Friday.
He described the organisers’ statement as “self-indicting” and urged World Athletics to investigate the circumstances surrounding his exclusion and the attack.
Sowore further called for international sanctions against Governor Oyebanji and the marathon organisers, alleging that they were involved in the attack or efforts to facilitate it.
He also threatened to pursue legal action against the organisers and the Ekiti State Government through available legal channels in Nigeria and internationally.
“Sporting events must never become hunting grounds for political thugs, government-sponsored violence, intimidation, or assassination,” Sowore said, while calling for participants to be protected regardless of their political beliefs or affiliations.
Disputed account of Ekiti attack
Sowore’s exclusion came a day after he and members of his team were involved in an incident at a restaurant in the Dalimore area of Ado-Ekiti.
The Ekiti State Police Command disputed reports that the activist had been kidnapped, saying preliminary information indicated that he had an altercation with some individuals at the restaurant.
Police said officers responded after receiving a distress call and rescued Sowore from the scene.
According to the command, he sustained a minor injury and was taken to the Police Hospital in Ado-Ekiti for treatment.
Commissioner of Police Falade Adegoroye Michael subsequently ordered a discreet investigation to establish the circumstances of the incident, identify those involved and ensure that anyone found culpable would be brought to justice.
Sowore, however, rejected the police characterisation of the incident as an altercation.
He has maintained that he and members of his team were attacked by armed individuals and has demanded accountability.
The activist had travelled to Ekiti to participate in the Ikogosi Marathon, having also taken part in the 2025 edition.
The 2026 race is a 17.5-kilometre road event linking Ilawe-Ekiti with Ikogosi, where the race finishes at the Ikogosi Warm Springs area.
