ACCESS BANK LAGOS CITY MARATHON: TIB DEMANDS APOLOGY, RETURN OF SOWORE’S MEDIA TEAM CAMERA

The Take It Back (TIB) Movement strongly condemns the disgraceful actions of thugs sponsored by the Sanwo-Olu-led APC regime in Lagos during the recently concluded Access Bank Lagos City Marathon. Our leader, Omoyele Sowore, along with members of our movement, participated in the 10KM run, only to be met with violence and harassment at the finish line.

After crossing the finish line at Eko Atlantic, Sowore and his comrades returned to the tents provided for participants, where there were no visible tags or protocols indicating reserved seating. When approached by individuals claiming that the area was designated for “government dignitaries,” Sowore rightfully challenged this assertion, questioning why non-participants were being prioritized over those who had just completed the race. A member of Sowore’s team, assured the coordinators that they were only occupying the space temporarily while awaiting other team members and they left.

However, about ten minutes later, Mr. Bukola Olopade,(Ozogbula) a former APC commissioner for sport and one of the organizers of the marathon, led a delegation of thugs who launched an unprovoked attack on Sowore and his team, including the media crew. As the situation escalated, Sowore and his team left the area, but not without sustaining injuries and suffering damage to their equipment. Happiness, a media crew member, had her camera forcefully seized, in an effort to delete footage of how they attack and beat up TIB comrades, and as at the time of this statement, it has yet to be returned. Mr Olopade later threatened Sowore severally on the phone after the encounter.

The Take It Back Movement demands the immediate return of the stolen camera and holds the Sanwo-Olu-led APC in Lagos directly responsible for this disgraceful attack. Furthermore, we demand an immediate public apology from the marathon organizers for their complicity in this politically motivated aggression.

Omoyele Sowore has been a participant in the Lagos City Marathon for over four years, and the targeted violence against him and his team today is an affront to the principles of sportsmanship.

Signed:
Dr Chidi Nwanyanwu
Director General,
Take It Back, Global