A human rights lawyer, Tope Temokun, has threatened legal action against the organisers of the Ikogosi Marathon over their decision to exclude African Action Congress (AAC) presidential aspirant, Omoyele Sowore, from the 2026 race.
Temokun, Principal Counsel at Tope Temokun Chambers, faulted the decision in a statement dated October 31, arguing that the organisers had failed to specify the conduct Sowore allegedly engaged in or the rules he purportedly violated.
He also questioned the timing of the announcement, given the reported attack on Sowore in Ado-Ekiti, arguing that the organisers should have prioritised his welfare and addressed the security concerns surrounding the incident.
The lawyer further challenged the organisers’ claim of political neutrality, describing the exclusion as potentially discriminatory and inconsistent with constitutional principles of human dignity and freedom from discrimination.
Temokun has demanded the withdrawal of the statement, a public apology to Sowore and the removal of any unsupported designation that could affect his eligibility for future editions of the marathon. He warned that failure to meet the demands could lead to court action.
The dispute follows the organisers’ announcement that Sowore would not be allowed to participate in the October 31 race, citing security concerns and what they described as documented conduct. The allegations and legal arguments remain contested.
