A former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and several chieftains of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) narrowly escaped an assassination attempt on Tuesday during a violent attack in Benin City, Edo State.
The incident occurred at the residence of Chief John Odigie Oyegun, a former governor of Edo State and the National Leader of the ADC. Mr Obi was in the state to formally receive Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party’s governorship candidate in the 2024 Edo State election, along with his supporters, into the ADC.
The meeting between ADC leaders and Mr Obi was progressing peacefully when gunshots suddenly rang out, sending participants scrambling for safety.
Sporadic gunfire erupted within the premises, damaging vehicles parked outside. Bullet holes were later seen on the gate and perimeter fence of the residence.
Earlier in the day, there was also a reported invasion at the ADC State Secretariat on Ogbelaka Road, where party leaders had gathered for the reception ceremony for Mr Akpata. Some individuals were said to have sustained injuries during that disturbance.
In his reaction, Mr Peter Obi urged party supporters to remain calm and called on security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the attack.
“This act is unacceptable. We are not in a banana republic where anything goes. We will officially report this to the security agencies. Be rest assured that this behavior by enemies of progress will not deter the ADC from taking over the government come 2027,” he said.
As of the time of this report, security agencies, including the police, have yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
