The organisers of the Ikogosi Marathon excluded Omoyele Sowore from the 2026 edition of the race. Sowore is a human rights activist and the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress. The decision prompted him to demand international sanctions.
The Ikogosi Marathon Initiative released a statement on Saturday. The 17.5-kilometre race was scheduled for that same day. The organisers said Sowore had registered but was not issued a race bib number and was not cleared to take part.
The statement explained that recent incidents involving Sowore and his associates in Ekiti State raised public safety issues. It said the initiative reviewed independently obtained and verifiable evidence. This included activities by Sowore and his associates at the Ikogosi Marathon office premises and other locations in the state.
The organisers stated: “Following a review of independently obtained and verifiable evidence, including activities by Mr. Sowore and his associates within the Ikogosi Marathon office premises and elsewhere in Ekiti State, the Initiative determined that his participation raises serious security concerns inconsistent with our commitment to a peaceful sporting environment.”
Consequently, the initiative denied Sowore participation in the 2026 race. It added that his eligibility for future events would face further review under its participation standards and security considerations.
The organisers stressed that the decision rested on documented conduct and security factors, not on his political affiliation, beliefs or aspirations. They noted that the event has maintained a policy against political campaigns and partisan demonstrations since 2014.
Sowore responded with a statement on X. He accused the organisers, led by Makinde Araoye, of complicity in violent attacks against him and members of his team. He called on World Athletics, the global governing body for athletics, to sanction the organisers and blacklist them from future sporting events.
Sowore further demanded international sanctions against Biodun Oyebanji, the governor of Ekiti State, and the organisers. He wrote that sporting events must never become hunting grounds for political thugs, government-sponsored violence, intimidation or assassination. He said runners and other participants must receive guarantees of safety regardless of their political beliefs or affiliations.
Sowore stated that he and his team would pursue further legal measures against the organisers and the Ekiti State Government. He described the conduct as inhuman and said it endangered lives while violating principles of sportsmanship and human dignity. He also demanded a thorough independent investigation into the roles of those involved.
