- Safiu Kehinde
There was some mild drama and confusion at Saturday’s annual Lagos Access Bank marathon supporters of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and those of human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, clashed over a space allegedly reserved for the Governor and his entourage.
This was just as Sowore and his team claimed that it was the supporters of Sanwo-Olu and some hoodlums who attacked them confiscating the camera of the members of Sowore’s media team in the process.
Though the parties sought to give different accounts of what happened, trouble was said to have started when Sowore moved to the space earlier occupied by the Governor after the governor stood up to go deliver his speech. This was said to have irked security operatives attached to the governor who insisted that Sowore should vacate the place.
Sowore, in a post on his X handle, recounted how his crew and other journalists came under attack by the operatives who challenged the crew for recording them, demanded that recordings were deleted.
“How occupying a canopy after the Lagos Marathon 10k infuriated some rogue elements who assaulted our crew members and journalists leading to unprovoked attacks which led to the seized a camera of one of our journalist insisting they view and delete all the contents because it caught them live attacking our crew in Lagos.” Sowore wrote.
As seen in a video attached to the post, the 2023 African Action Congress (AAC) Presidential candidate was forced out of the canopy as one of the hoodlums attempted to seize the phone of a crew member recording him.
But in a different account, Sowore was accused of being the aggressor after his sought to take over the seat left by the goveronor.
Reacting to Sowore’s post on the incident, another X user, Man of Letters recounted how the activist had taken over the VVIP seat reserved for the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other government officials.
He disclosed that Sanwo-Olu had gone up to podium when Sowore and his group took over the seat having gained access to the VVIP section through a friend.
As against claim that they were assaulted and force out of the reserved area, the X user claimed the group refused to leave despite effort to explain to them which led to the scene captured in the video shared by Sowore.
“Mr Yele Sowore, I was also at the VVIP tent, seated 4 tables away from Governor Sanwo-olu and I watched as everything happened.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu went up to the podium with his people to give his speech, then you and your group moved in and took the seat reserved for the Governor and the state executives.
“That part of the sitting area was not for runners as you opined with a dig when you spoke to the first person that came to you, it was specifically for invited VVIPs. Everyone tried to explain this to you, but you wouldn’t listen.
“You’d say you were just doing your usual activism, but you were allowed into the VVIP section because of your relationship with Ozo.
“And then you rewarded a man that calls you friend by playing a huge part in turning the whole place upside down in 5 min with your deliberate attempt to provoke people unprovoked. The bouncers asked your people to leave, and they refused.
“I bet you went there with one intention and you somewhat achieved your aim. I’m glad the Governor did not return to the seat, I guess his team sensed what was happening.
“However, i still don’t get why you acted like that, considering the fact that they told you that you could stay at the next table as a VVIP on condition that others in your group leave.” Man of Letters wrote.
He further expressed his disappointment with Sowore’s conduct, stressing that such is unexpected from man of his class.
“What Yele Sowore did today during the prize presentation at Lagos Marathon was really embarrassing. Someone with class and respect shouldn’t be doing that.” He added.
While the confusion was one, the Chairman of the Nigerian Sports Commission and the marathon curator, Bukola Olopade, could be seen making efforts to calm Sowore and his supporters down as the security agents insisted the activist must leave the VVIP tent.