Violence: Oyo AAC urges opposition to consider 2027 poll boycott

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The African Action Congress in Oyo State has urged opposition parties across Nigeria to consider boycotting the 2027 general elections if the Federal Government and security agencies fail to guarantee the safety of political actors and voters.

The party made the call in a Monday statement signed by its Oyo State Chairman, Kayode Babayomi, expressing concern over what it described as escalating political violence, intimidation and thuggery ahead of the elections.

It cited the recent attack on its presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, as an example of the threats facing opposition politicians during campaign activities.

“Therefore, we call on opposition parties and democratic forces across Nigeria to consider a collective boycott of the 2027 general elections if the government and relevant security institutions cannot guarantee the safety of political actors, their supporters, and ordinary citizens,” the statement read.

The AAC said elections should be contests of ideas, policies and visions for the country’s future, rather than opportunities for political actors and their supporters to unleash violence on opponents.

It warned that attacks, intimidation and threats to lives and property during political campaigns raised serious concerns about the safety, credibility and integrity of the electoral process.

The party also called on the authorities to investigate what it described as an assassination attempt on Sowore and prosecute those responsible, including their alleged sponsors, irrespective of their political affiliations.

“We demand that authorities immediately investigate the assassination attempt on our Presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, and identify and prosecute those responsible, as well as their sponsors, regardless of political affiliation,” the statement added.

The party argued that opposition politicians and their supporters should be able to campaign, organise and express their political opinions without fear of attacks or killings.

“We cannot legitimise a process that fails to ensure the safety of its participants. Democracy must be protected, and human lives must take precedence over political ambitions,” it said.

The statement follows an incident involving Sowore in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, October 30, 2026.

PUNCH Online had reported that the AAC presidential candidate was attacked by suspected thugs while meeting supporters at Tawakalitu Restaurant in the Dalimore area of the state capital.

Sowore alleged that about 20 armed men attacked him and members of his entourage, leaving him injured.

He also alleged that the attackers were government-sponsored, a claim the Ekiti State Government denied.

However, the Ekiti State Police Command said Sowore was not kidnapped, describing the incident as an altercation with some individuals at the restaurant.

The police said he sustained a minor injury and was taken to the Police Hospital in Ado-Ekiti for treatment.

The police subsequently announced the arrest of 11 suspects in connection with the incident and said an investigation was underway.

The AAC maintained that political participation should not expose candidates, supporters or ordinary citizens to violence, warning that intimidation could undermine public confidence in elections.

It added that the safety of participants was essential to the credibility of the 2027 electoral process.