FRESH political tension erupted in Edo State on Tuesday following an alleged attack on former presidential candidate Peter Obi, former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, and several chieftains of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
News Point Nigeria gathered that the alleged incident occurred in Benin City during political activities surrounding the formal declaration of Olumide Akpata into the ADC.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja by Dr. Yunusa Tanko, former campaign spokesman for Obi and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide.
According to Tanko, armed individuals allegedly trailed Obi and other ADC leaders from the party’s secretariat to the residence of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun in Benin.
“Peter Obi and the leadership of the ADC are under siege and attack in Benin, Edo State,” the statement read.
“At the formal declaration of Olumide Akpata into the African Democratic Congress, armed individuals followed us from the ADC Secretariat to the residence of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
“They shot at the gate and destroyed several vehicles in what appears to be a survived assassination attempt on our lives. Democracy is in danger.”
Photographs and video clips circulated by Tanko showed several Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) with smashed windscreens and visible damage. The entrance gate to Odigie-Oyegun’s residence appeared riddled with bullet holes, suggesting the intensity of the alleged attack.
Obi and other ADC chieftains were seen in the images inspecting the damaged vehicles and the gate following the incident.
As of the time of filing this report, there were no confirmed reports of casualties. Security agencies in Edo State had yet to issue an official statement confirming the incident.
The reported attack comes at a time of heightened political tension in the country, particularly among opposition figures who have recently challenged electoral outcomes.
Barely 24 hours earlier, the ADC candidate in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) chairmanship election, Dr. Moses Paul, alongside the Obidient Movement, rejected the outcome of the February 21 poll.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Christopher Maikalangu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election, having secured 40,295 votes out of 62,861 valid votes cast.
Paul polled 12,109 votes to finish second, while the Peoples Democratic Party candidate garnered 3,398 votes.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, Paul accused INEC of mishandling the election. He alleged voter suppression, result manipulation, intimidation of party supporters, and vote buying across several wards.
Tuesday’s alleged attack in Edo has added another layer of concern about political safety and democratic space in Nigeria. Supporters of the Obidient Movement and ADC members have called for a thorough investigation into the incident and urged security agencies to ensure the protection of political actors regardless of affiliation.
As of press time, there had been no official reaction from the Edo State Government or the Nigeria Police Force regarding the alleged attack.
