The presidential candidate of Accord, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has urged political parties and their followers to steer clear of violent clashes ahead of the 2027 general elections. He warned that the country cannot afford further turmoil while already grappling with deep security concerns.
Hashim delivered the warning during a solidarity visit on Friday to the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, according to Punch. The visit followed a recent incident involving Sowore and members of his team in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Addressing the situation, Hashim noted that Nigeria is already confronting terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping, and must not add politically driven unrest to its problems. He stated that the country cannot afford to add political violence to the general insecurity in the land. He also commended a United Nations representative for expressing concern over the event and encouraged other global partners to condemn assaults against political figures.
The controversy stems from an incident that took place on October 30 at Tawakalitu Restaurant in the Dalimore area of Ado-Ekiti. Sowore stated that armed men carried out an assault on him and his team. However, the Ekiti State Police Command initially framed the event as an altercation between Sowore and several individuals at the eatery.
Police authorities reported that officers rescued Sowore and transported him to a medical facility for care, though the activist rejected that narrative and maintained that it was a targeted, violent attack. The police subsequently declared that 11 suspects had been arrested, with investigations underway to uncover their roles and identify any accomplices. Meanwhile, the Ekiti State Government dismissed claims of involvement and asked the police to carry out an exhaustive inquiry.
During the visit, Hashim reflected on his shared history with Sowore during their resistance to military dictatorship, stating that they brought him into the movement around 1989 and 1990. In his response, Sowore expressed gratitude for the solidarity and described Hashim as a senior comrade who helped bring him into student activism at the University of Lagos. Sowore declared that the attack would not frighten him or stop his political pursuits.
