Sowore Demands Sanctions as Ikogosi Marathon Bars Him from 2026 Edition

The organisers of the Ikogosi Marathon have barred the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, from participating in the 2026 edition of the competition, prompting him to demand international sanctions against them and Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji.

The Ikogosi Marathon Initiative announced the decision in a statement on Saturday, October 31, the day the 17.5-kilometre race was scheduled to hold.

The organisers said the decision followed a review of what they described as independently obtained and verifiable evidence relating to activities involving Sowore and his associates at the initiative’s office premises and other locations in Ekiti State.

According to the statement, although Sowore had registered for the competition, he was neither issued a race bib nor cleared to participate.

The organisers said his participation raised security concerns that they considered inconsistent with their commitment to providing a peaceful sporting environment.

They, however, denied that the decision was politically motivated, insisting that it was based on documented conduct and security considerations rather than Sowore’s political beliefs or affiliation.

The initiative also maintained that it had operated a policy against using its platform, facilities, events or branding for political campaigns and partisan demonstrations since 2014.

Reacting to the development, Sowore called on World Athletics, the international governing body for the sport, to investigate the organisers and impose sanctions, including blacklisting them from organising or participating in future international sporting events.

In a statement shared on his X account, the activist accused the organisers, led by Makinde Araoye, of complicity in the attack on him and members of his team in Ado-Ekiti on Friday.

He also demanded international sanctions against Governor Oyebanji and the marathon organisers over what he alleged was their involvement in the attack or efforts to facilitate it.

Sowore described the exclusion as unacceptable, arguing that sporting events should not become platforms for political intimidation or violence.

He further called for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack and threatened to pursue legal action against the organisers and the Ekiti State Government through available channels in Nigeria and internationally.

The dispute follows Friday’s incident at a restaurant in Ado-Ekiti, where Sowore and members of his team sustained injuries. While the police described the incident as an altercation, Sowore rejected that account and insisted that they were attacked.

The Ekiti State Police Command said it had commenced an investigation into the incident. The state government had not publicly responded to Sowore’s latest allegations as of the time of filing this report.