AAC Alleges Assassination Attempt On Sowore During June 12 Protest
The African Action Congress (AAC) has alleged that its presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, was the target of an assassination attempt during the June 12 Democracy Day protest in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Rex I. Elanu, the party claimed that operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attacked Sowore during the protest organised by the Take It Back Movement and other civil society groups.
According to the AAC, police officers sprayed an unidentified aerosol-based chemical directly into Sowore’s face during the peaceful demonstration, causing him to collapse and briefly lose consciousness.
The party described the incident as part of a growing pattern of repression against opposition voices in Nigeria.
The AAC recalled the case of the late former Senate President, Chuba Okadigbo, who died days after being exposed to tear gas at an opposition rally in Kano in 2003.
The party noted that while the circumstances surrounding his death remain controversial, the incident highlights the risks faced by opposition figures in politically tense environments.
The party further alleged that Sowore has endured repeated attacks and persecution since 2016.
It cited incidents including assaults by political thugs, alleged attacks by police operatives, the invasion of a Federal High Court by Department of State Services personnel to arrest him during court proceedings, the breaking of his nose in 2021, and a reported shooting that left him injured in the thigh.
The AAC also referenced the death of Sowore’s younger brother, claiming it occurred under suspicious circumstances.
According to the party, efforts to silence Sowore have increasingly shifted from physical attacks to what it described as politically motivated prosecutions, lawsuits, travel restrictions and other forms of harassment.
The party accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of fostering an atmosphere in which critics are intimidated, persecuted and brutalised.
Calling for international attention, the AAC urged democratic governments, human rights organisations and global institutions to monitor developments surrounding Sowore’s safety and help prevent further attacks.
The party stressed that the rights of citizens to protest peacefully and the rights of opposition figures to participate freely in the democratic process must be protected.
Reaffirming its commitment to its political objectives, the AAC said it would not be deterred by intimidation or repression, adding that its next course of action would depend largely on the response of the international community.
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.
