Sowore Reacts to Alleged Assassination Claim by Ijele Speaks
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has reacted to an alleged assassination claim made by controversial blogger Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu, popularly known as “Ijele Speaks,” following a confession in which he reportedly said he was once approached to eliminate the activist.
Ofoegbu made the revelation during an appearance on The King Of The Game podcast, where he allegedly spoke about the alleged offer made to him regarding Sowore.
Reacting on Friday, Sowore said the claim confirms what he has long described as a coordinated effort to silence dissenting voices in Nigeria.
“The assassination plot against me, as revealed by Harrison Ofoegbu, also known as ‘Ijele Speaks,’ The King Of The Game is not an isolated incident. It is part of a consistent and deeply troubling pattern of targeted intimidation and violence aimed at silencing dissent and crushing voices that challenge injustice,” Sowore said.
He insisted the alleged threats are deliberate and systematic.
“These threats are neither random nor accidental; they are deliberate, calculated, and sustained,” he added.
Sowore also recounted his earlier encounter with Ofoegbu during the trial of Nnamdi Kanu at the Federal High Court in Abuja, saying he was initially blocked by security operatives before later speaking with him outside the courtroom.
“I first met Harrison Ofoegbu ‘Ijele’ when I arrived to attend Nnamdi Kanu’s trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja and the DSS and the Nigeria Police Force prevented me from attending, he confronted me outside the courtroom accusing me of all sorts, but in my most democratic mannerism, I spoke to him calmly and we later became friends in the city…,” he said.
He further alleged that Ofoegbu later became the subject of a separate plot involving powerful interests, including religious figures, claiming he was arrested, detained, and moved between Abuja and Lagos under controversial circumstances.
According to Sowore, legal intervention by human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), alongside activist Deji Adeyanju and himself, secured Ofoegbu’s bail, though he said the bail conditions were deliberately restrictive.
Sowore also claimed there were plans to transfer Ofoegbu to Awka under a new charge, which he alleged could have endangered his life, but said the move was resisted and stopped.
He maintained that he has survived multiple alleged assassination attempts over the years, including attacks involving security operatives.
“I have personally faced these assassination attempts. Nigeria Police Force officers have shot at me at close range. I have been beaten nearly to death in efforts to silence me,” he said.
Sowore also referenced the killing of his younger brother, Felix Olajide Sowore, in September 2021, describing it as part of what he called a wider pattern of intimidation.
He further alleged that a social media influencer, Jack Obinyan, was used to influence public perception and undermine calls for accountability.
Tracing his activism history, Sowore recalled violent encounters during his student days at the University of Lagos, including alleged shootings during protests in the early 1990s.
He also alleged that during the military era, attempts were made on his life involving cult groups and security-linked operatives working with authorities at the time.
Sowore said despite the alleged threats and past incidents, he remains committed to his activism and political struggle.
“The recent revelations by @IjeleSpeaks2 should not be dismissed as mere outbursts… But it is too late. The struggle for total liberation is already in motion. Nothing can stop it,” he said.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that Ofoegbu claimed he was once approached with an offer to assassinate Sowore but rejected it, adding that he also advised against prolonged legal detention of the activist ahead of the 2023 elections.
Ofoegbu further stated that he had previously supported Sowore’s activism despite political differences, including alignment with former President Muhammadu Buhari, but said their relationship later broke down over disagreements involving Nnamdi Kanu.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
