How Hunger Argument With Tinubu Supporters Triggered Sowore’s Ekiti Clash — Source

A heated argument over President Bola Tinubu’s handling of Nigeria’s economic hardship preceded the physical confrontation between activist Omoyele Sowore and some Tinubu supporters at a restaurant in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, a source familiar with the incident has told THE WHISTLER.

The source said Sowore challenged the supporters over their continued backing of the Tinubu administration despite widespread hunger and economic hardship, triggering an exchange of words that eventually degenerated into a physical fight.

The incident occurred on Friday, October 30, 2026, at Tawakalitu Restaurant in the Dalimore area of the state capital, shortly after Sowore appeared on MIDAS FM 90.5, where he granted a radio interview and criticised the Tinubu administration.

According to the source, some members of the PBAT/APC supporters’ group, dressed in Tinubu-branded campaign shirts and caps, entered the restaurant where Sowore and members of his entourage were having a meal.

The source said Sowore confronted them over their political support for President Tinubu, questioning why they continued to back the administration despite the prevailing economic hardship.

The exchange reportedly became heated before escalating into a physical confrontation involving members of both groups.

“Some of the PBAT Door-to-Door members were wearing Tinubu campaign clothes and caps when they entered the restaurant where Sowore was eating. Sowore started confronting them, asking why they were still supporting Tinubu despite the hunger in the land. That was how they started exchanging words before the situation escalated into a fight,” the source told THE WHISTLER.

The confrontation reportedly left Sowore and other persons injured, triggering reactions from both camps and conflicting accounts of what transpired at the restaurant.

Sowore’s camp initially described the incident as an attempted kidnapping before subsequently characterising it as an attack. However, the account provided by the source suggests that an exchange of political arguments preceded the physical confrontation.

The Ekiti State Police Command has since arrested 11 persons in connection with the incident.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the police said operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), acting on credible intelligence, raided the suspects’ hideouts in the Atikankan area of Ado-Ekiti at about 10pm on Friday.

The arrested suspects were identified as Joseph Tayo, 32; Olatunji Abayomi, 41; Isaac Amba, 22; Kehinde Ajigbana, 18; Tosin David, 18; Solomon Iyanu, 18; Ogunsola Ayomide, 21; Ojo Ayodeji, 22; Kayode Dada, 32; Segun Olatunji, 28; and Salami Emmanuel, 53.

Items recovered during the operation included two walkie-talkies, substances suspected to be Indian hemp and Colorado, two cannabis crushers, a pack of Rizla, seven ATM cards, 13 mobile phones, two vehicle keys and a flash drive.

Other recovered items included a 5G MTN Wi-Fi device, identity cards, eight international passports, three complimentary cards, two suspected criminal charms, a gas lighter and ₦250.

The police said the suspects remained in custody as investigations continued to establish their individual roles, determine their possible connections with the confrontation and identify other persons involved.

The command also confirmed that all victims, including Sowore, had received medical attention and were treated and discharged from the hospital.

The Commissioner of Police, Falade Adegoroye Michael, assured that anyone found culpable would be brought to justice, irrespective of political affiliation.

However, the police have yet to publicly establish who initiated the physical violence or provide a detailed account of the events leading to the confrontation.

Sowore, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), is a prominent critic of President Tinubu and has consistently challenged the administration over its economic policies, governance and handling of national affairs.